Editing Van Morrison (section)

===Coronavirus controversy===
During the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], Morrison made numerous statements against [[Social distancing measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic|social distancing measures]] that affected live music events, and made calls to "fight pseudo-science".<ref>{{cite web|first=Taryn|last=Ryder|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/van-morrison-asks-artists-speak-out-against-socially-distant-concerts-fight-pseudoscience-175428889.html|title=Van Morrison asks artists to speak out against socially distant concerts: "Fight the pseudo-science"|website=[[Yahoo! Entertainment]]|date=25 August 2020 }}</ref> Continuing with this narrative, Morrison released three new songs in September 2020, which had messages of protest against [[COVID-19 lockdowns]] in the UK. Morrison accused the UK government of "taking our freedom".<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=Savage|first=Mark|date=18 September 2020|title=Van Morrison to release lockdown protest songs|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54194498|access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref> He had performed socially distanced concerts previously, but said that the shows were not a sign of "compliance".<ref>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=Reilly|date=18 September 2020|title=Van Morrison hits out at "crooked facts" in new anti-lockdown protest songs|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/van-morrison-hits-out-at-crooked-facts-in-new-anti-lockdown-protest-songs-2756262|access-date=18 September 2020|website=[[NME]]}}</ref>

There were calls in Belfast for Belfast City Council to revoke his [[Freedom of the City]] honour following the statements: city councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said that his lyrics were "undermining the guidance in place to protect lives and are ignorant of established science as we grapple with Covid-19."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2020/09/18/calls-for-van-morrison-to-be-stripped-of-city-honour/|title=Calls for Van Morrison to be stripped of city honour|website=www.shropshirestar.com|date=18 September 2020 }}</ref> Northern Ireland health minister [[Robin Swann]] accused Morrison of smearing public health practitioners<ref name="Swann">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2020/sep/22/northern-ireland-health-minister-criticises-van-morrison-anti-lockdown-songs|title=Northern Ireland health minister criticises Van Morrison anti-lockdown songs|date=22 September 2020|website=The Guardian}}</ref> and called Morrison's anti-lockdown songs "dangerous".<ref name=":0" /> In November 2021, Swann sued Morrison for [[defamation]], after he said that Swann was a "fraud" and "very dangerous".<ref>{{cite web|date=8 November 2021|title=N. Ireland official suing Van Morrison over COVID criticism|url=https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-entertainment-music-arts-and-entertainment-health-9811c0204c3913f4f9ac846acb61e918|access-date=11 November 2021|website=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Whyte|first=Barry J.|title=Into the mystic: How a musical superstar tumbled down a rabbit-hole|url=https://www.businesspost.ie/profile/into-the-mystic-how-a-musical-superstar-tumbled-down-a-rabbit-hole-96b09fdd|access-date=25 November 2021|website=Business Post}}</ref> In 2022, Morrison issued legal proceedings against Swann over an opinion piece in ''Rolling Stone'' magazine that was critical of Morrison's anti-lockdown songs and actions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=30 May 2022 |title=Van Morrison takes legal action against Northern Ireland health department and minister over Covid article |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/may/30/van-morrison-takes-legal-action-against-northern-ireland-health-department-and-minister-over-covid-article |access-date=19 September 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Both legal claims were settled confidentially shortly before their respective court proceedings were to begin in September 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Van and Robin Swann settle defamation battle |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wj02gx4p1o |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBC |access-date=18 September 2024}}</ref>