High Court defamation action against Van Morrison by PR man over baby son is settled

Grief: Gigi
Lee, who
has since
died from
throat
cancer

Van Morrisson

Grief: Gigi Lee, who has since died from throat cancer

Van Morrisson

Tim Healy

November 10 2014 01:17 PM

A HIGH Court defamation action against singer Van Morrison has been settled.

Public relations executive, John Saunders, had brought proceedings against Mr Morrison arising out of an interview Mr Saunders gave on radio in December, 2009, to deny claims the singer's American manager, GiGi Lee, had given birth to Mr Morrison's son.

Today, John Kerr BL, for Mr Saunders, told Ms Justice Marie Baker the defamation action had been settled on terms and could be struck out.

The settlement was on the basis of a letter confirming Mr Saunders "had acted with integrity and on the express instructions of Mr Morrison" (in giving the radio interview) and that there would be undisclosed damages and legal costs, counsel said.

Ms Justice Baker struck out the proceedings which the court also heard had been in the jury list of the High Court.

Neither Mr Saunders, who a regional president with the PR firm Fleishman-Hillar, nor Mr Morrison were in court. The application was made on consent between the parties and only the Saunders side was represented in court.