Ex-Bassist Of New Order Suing Former Bandmates For 'Many Millions Of Pounds'

The ex-bassist of veteran UK rock outfit New Order, is suing his former bandmates after he accused them of "pillaging" the band's name and leaving him well out of pocket. 

According to The Guardian, Peter Hook claims his "former friends" owe him $2.3 million pounds and in response, he plans to sue them for "many millions of pounds".

A high court heard has heard that frontman Bernard Sumner, drummer Stephen Morris and keyboardist Gillian Gilbert set up a new company in 2011 without Hook's consent, in which they licensed the use of the band name to the company for ten years. 

The 59-year-old musician claims Sumner, Morris and Gilbert asset-stripped the band name and did not let him in on the plan until it was already carried out. 

The company has since generated nearly eight million pounds in four years, however Hook only receives a fraction of the money made. 

"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," Hook's barrister, Mark Wyeth QC said.

New Order claim they have treated Hook fairly since he departed the group in 2007, however it is reported that the band are now so estranged they cannot even agree upon whether Hook was fired from the group or if he left on his own terms. 

Hook is reportedly receiving just 1.25% of the band’s royalties, though he claims he should be getting up to 12.5%.

Meanwhile, New Order released their tenth studio album, Music Complete this September, their first record to not feature Hook. 

The band recently took to their website to address the situation. See the full statement below. 

"Obviously the band are disappointed that Peter is pursuing this claim in this particular way.  The reports so far take a number of things out of context. Peter still, for instance, receives his full share of all back catalogue royalties. This dispute relates only to the share of income he takes from our work without him since 2011."

"Not much more we can say as nothing has been decided by the Court on the facts other than he has a right to proceed with the claim, so this matter is still in play."

"We’re getting on with life and concentrating on touring and promoting our new album."