Photo by Bill Kelly

Eric Clapton has announced that he will not perform at U.K. concert venues that require proof of vaccination for entry. Clapton has been outspoken about his own experiences with the COVID-19 vaccine, calling the press around its safety “propaganda,” and his physical reaction to the vaccine “disastrous.”

Clapton’s statement is in response to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement on Monday, July 19, that vaccine passes would be required to enter venues and nightclubs throughout the country.

The statement from the 76-year-old iconic British guitarist and songwriter was given to London-based Italian architect and film producer Robin Monotti Graziadei, who published it on his Telegram channel. The statement reads: “Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021 I feel honour bound to make an announcement of my own: I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”

Clapton along with Van Morrison released a song titled “Stand and Deliver,” that echoed their views on the lock-downs in response to the deadly virus, in December of 2020. More recently, the two released the track “Rebels” where Clapton questions where the rebels have gone and figures that they’re “hiding behind their computer screens.”