Defamation action against Van Morrison settled

An action in which a public relations executive had alleged defamation against singer Van Morrison has been settled and struck out on consent at the High Court.

Public relations executive John Saunders had sued Mr Morrison arising out of a radio interview of December 2009 in which Mr Saunders denied claims that the singer’s American manager, GiGi Lee, had given birth to Mr Morrison’s son.

At the High Court yesterday, John Kerr, counsel for Mr Saunders, told Ms Justice Marie Baker the action had been settled on terms and could be struck out on consent of the sides.

Counsel said the settlement was on the basis of a letter which confirmed that Mr Saunders had, in giving the radio interview, “acted with integrity and on the express instructions of Mr Morrison”. There would also be undisclosed damages and legal costs, counsel added.

Ms Justice Baker struck out the proceedings.

Neither Mr Saunders, of the PR firm FleishmanHillard, nor Mr Morrison were in court.