Insurance firm countersues Kanye West

The rapper sued his insurers for nearly $10m in early August, after they refused to pay out for the Saint Pablo tour he cancelled in November.

West had cancelled 21 dates after a series of bizarre incidents saw him making controversial statements about Beyonce and Jay Z and voicing support for Donald Trump on stage.

Both West’s doctor and an independent examiner found him unfit to resume the tour, which he cancelled to undergo treatment for a “serious, debilitating medical condition”.

But the insurance company refused to pay, prompting West’s touring company, Very Good Touring, to launch a legal action.

Lloyd’s have refused to disclose detailed information about their decision, citing non-disclosure agreements, but pointed to clauses in the insurance policy that state it would be invalidated by drug and alcohol use.

West’s lawyers, however, say Lloyd’s implied West’s use of marijuana was responsible for his medical condition.

They denied they had suggested marijuana use provided the “sole basis” to deny the claim, but said there were “substantial irregularities” in West’s medical history and that they did not owe him any money.

West’s lawyer Howard King said Lloyd’s counter-claim was a generic response issued in “all cases” when they did not wish to deny a legitimate claim.

“We look forward to the day a jury awards our client the full amount of the policy he purchased, plus interest at 10% per annum, along with punitive damages,” he said. – news.sky.com