Morrissey’s Libel Lawsuit Update

Morrissey is suing former NME editor Conor McNicholas and the magazine’s publisher, IPC Media, over a November 2007 interview he claims ruined his reputation by portraying him as a racist.

The former Smiths frontman said he’s delighted that he’ll “be able to use the very public forum of the high court in London to clear my name, loud and clear for all to hear,” according to the Guardian.

Before Morrissey’s lawsuit could move forward the case had to win a pre-trial hearing. The high court made its ruling Wednesday.

“Overall, in my judgment a proper balance between the Article 10 right of freedom of expression of [NME magazine] and Mr Morrissey’s right to the protection of his individual reputation requires, in the circumstances of this case, that the action be permitted to proceed,” Mr Justice Tugendhat said in a written judgment.

A lawyer for McNicholas and IPC had tried to convince the high court that the case shouldn’t move forward because Morrissey had taken so many years to pursue the libel claim.

Tugendhat said that Morrissey’s explanation for the delay (in which he blamed money issues related to a fallout with his manager) was “credible,” according to the Guardian. 

The high court trial is scheduled to begin in mid-2012.

Click here for the story from the Guardian.