Allegations against rock star Van Morrison by a musician who took him to an employment tribunal have been withdrawn, it was announced today.
Linda Gail Lewis (54), the sister of rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, has also apologised to the Belfast-born singer about the claims, his lawyer said.
Eight-times married Miss Lewis, who is also a country music star, had accused Mr Morrison (57) of sexual discrimination and wrongful dismissal.
An employment tribunal panel in Cardiff rejected the wrongful dismissal claim in July last year and today it was announced the discrimination claims had been withdrawn by Miss Lewis, of Penarth.
After the hearing, Mr Morrison's lawyer, Mr Paul Tweed, said the star welcomed the decision. "He [Mr Morrison] is pleased that these claims before the employment tribunal have finally been withdrawn, and he has now accepted a full apology and comprehensive retraction, which represents a complete vindication of his stance from the outset," Mr Tweed said.
Miss Lewis had claimed she was sacked after telling the star she was going to leave at the end of a tour. The mother-of-four had also claimed she was the subject of unwanted sexual advances.
Mr Morrison denied all the allegations.
Tribunal chairman Mr Philip Davies told today's hearing: "We have not heard the evidence of course and I am not in a position to say in one way or another what our decision would be. . . . We congratulate the parties in reaching a settlement".
Miss Lewis, a singer and pianist who has worked in the music business since she was 14, was not at the hearing today and was unavailable for comment after the case was settled.
Media had been banned from naming Mr Morrison during earlier hearings.
PA