Peter Hook Sues New Order

Photo by Mark McNulty

After years of in-fighting, former New Order bassist Peter Hook is suing ex-bandmates Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Gillian Gilbert in a royalties dispute, the BBC reports. Hook, who is no longer in the group and now performs with Peter Hook and the Light, has accused the band of “pillaging” New Order’s assets when they set up a new company in 2011 to take care of the band’s finances, and didn’t include him in the company. Hook claims he’s lost out on more than £2.3 million ($3.5 million). 

Hook’s lawyer, Mark Wyeth QC, described the move as “clandestine, premeditated, and deliberate,” according to the BBC. However, the trio say they’ve given Hook a reasonable stake of royalties. (He currently receives 1.25% of New Order’s income, but believes he is entitled to 12.5%.)

David Casement QC, representing the other band members, said Hook’s complaints were “completely misconceived” and told the court Hook was either intent on “obstructing” the trio’s continued success or wanted to “rejoin the band,” the BBC reports.

The High Court judge rejected the notion that Hook’s “true motive was to get back into the band or spite the defendants” and gave him clearance to proceed to a full trial.

Wyeth said, “It was as though George Harrison and Ringo Starr had got together at George’s house one Friday night and had acted together to divest Paul McCartney of his shareholding in the Beatles, and didn’t tell Yoko about it either.”

Update (11/30, 3:22 p.m. EST): Peter Hook has commented on the lawsuit in a statement published on Rolling Stone‘s website:

I’m naturally delighted with the decision made on my application to the High Court in London last week. It found in my favor and justifies the stance I have taken.  The Judge made a number of important points when giving his judgment and rejected a lot of the Defendants’ submissions. Both sides’ costs in this case are very substantial. I was obviously pleased that the Judge ordered the Defendants to pay mine. I’m very happy with the outcome and it bodes well for the future. I am grateful to my legal team for the hard work which went into achieving this judgment.

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