Van Morrison calls on health minister to ‘prove the science’ behind Covid restrictions

The row began when the music icon announced the release of three new songs denouncing the anti-coronavirus measures.

His song No More Lockdown accuses those who are “disturbing our peace” as being “fascist bullies”.

Sir Van’s intervention in the health debate provoked fierce criticism far beyond Stormont’s health department. His song lyrics – including accusing those behind the measures of “taking our freedom,” and of “making up crooked facts” – also led to a Belfast councillor calling for the singer’s Freedom of the City to be revoked.

In another strange twist to the story, Rolling Stone magazine invited the NI Health Minister to write an opinion piece for the latest edition – giving Robin Swann a platform to label Morrison’s message “dangerous”.

Mr Swann wrote: “His words will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists. The tin foil hat brigade who crusade against masks and vaccines and think this is all a huge global plot to remove freedoms.

“We in Northern Ireland are very proud of the fact that one of the greatest music legends of the past 50 years comes from our part of the world. So there’s a real feeling of disappointment – we expected better from him.

“However, it goes further than disappointment. Some of what is he saying is actually dangerous. It could encourage people to not to take coronavirus seriously.”

The minister added: “It’s entirely right and proper to debate and question policies. It’s legitimate to ask if the right balance is being found in what is being done; if the right steps are being taken. But Van Morrison is going way beyond raising questions.”

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Swann said: “I don’t know where he gets his facts. I know where the emotions are on this, but I will say that sort of messaging is dangerous. Our messaging is about saving lives.”

Calling for Sir Van’s city freedom award to be rescinded, Alliance councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said: “Van Morrison was given the freedom of Belfast, the highest honour the city can bestow.

“His most recent lyrics undermine the guidance in place to protect lives and are ignorant of established science as we grapple with Covid-19. So I’ve asked Belfast City Council to consider revoking it. I think we should withdraw the endorsement.”

Hitting back at Robin Swann through his official Facebook page, the east Belfast-born musician said: “Today I ask the NI Health Minister to disclose all the scientific evidence he has to hand to the people of Northern Ireland so that it may be open to public scrutiny. I accept that I am not an epidemiologist but then of course neither is he.

“However, I’m more than willing to present the evidence to eminent minds within this field of medicine as by doing so we may find useful solutions to the very serious issues we now face as a society. It’s his job to prove the science, not mine. I am simply questioning it.”

Van Morrison’s Covid stance attacked by NI Health Minister – in legendary Rolling Stone magazine

Van Morrison should be stripped of Freedom award due to Covid stance

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