View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
January 16, 2003updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Now press can say: ‘Van IS the man’

By Press Gazette

The media were finally able to name rock star Van Morrison this week after he settled a sex discrimination claim by singer-songwriter Linda Gail Lewis.

Lewis dropped claims in which she accused Morrison of trying to ruin her life by asking her for sex and telling her to divorce her husband. He accepted a full apology and comprehensive retraction “which represents a complete vindication of his stance”, said his solicitor Paul Tweed.

The tribunal claim started two years ago in Wales and this year the press were banned from naming him because he threatened not to give evidence if he was identified.

Four media organisations, the South Wales Echo, Associated Newspapers, MGN in Northern Ireland and Ulster Television, lost their argument to name him after the tribunal panel decided it would interfere with the administration of justice if he was not heard.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network