VAN Morrison has claimed that freedom of speech has been marginalised during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown.
The internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter also bemoaned the "negative reaction" to music exercising "freedom of expression" about the ongoing crisis.
The interview in Saturday's Times newspaper comes just three months after it was reported that Sir Van, who has been vocally anti-lockdown, was mounting a legal challenge against the level of restrictions, including a ban on live music.
The singer had been due to commence judicial review proceedings against regulations which prohibited live music in indoor licensed venues in Northern Ireland.
Last year, the 75-year-old east Belfast star caused controversy when he penned three songs denouncing lockdown.
In the songs, he accused the British government of taking people’s freedom and alleged scientists were making up "crooked facts" to justify restrictions to "enslave" the population.
Sir Van said he believed freedom of speech and the press were being limited during the pandemic restrictions, which he referred to as "the elephant in the room".
"The only other person who has any traction or motivation to speak out about what's going on, to get out there and question things is Eric (Clapton)," he said.
"A few people got a petition together to end the lockdown, but nobody pays attention to petitions, do they?"
"If I can write about it, I do. Poetic licence, freedom of speech... these used to be okay. Why not now?
"I don't understand it. Some people call it a cult. It is like a religion. Whether anyone agrees with me or not is irrelevant".
The singer and musician added: "Just as there should be freedom of the press, there should be freedom of speech, and at the minute it feels like that is not in the framework.
"If you do songs that are an expression of freedom of speech, you get a very negative reaction."
