‘Don’t be misled – we gave Meighan the boot’
SINGER’S ASSAULT CHARGE LED TO THE BREAK-UP
A CLOUD of acrimony has descended over what should have been a triumphant summer for Kasabian as the Leicestershire rock stars revealed they called on singer Tom Meighan to quit as soon as they found out about his assault charge.
The band had been due to play a sold-out gig at Victoria Park, Leicester, last month.
But even if the Covid-19 crisis had not intervened, it seems unlikely the concert would have gone ahead, as the band revealed Meighan’s assault on his partner in April – to which he pleaded guilty this week – meant “that we could no longer work with him”.
In a statement, the band also accused the singer of “misleading” fans by not explaining the reason for his departure, which he announced on the eve of his appearance at Leicester Magistrates’ Court.
The statement says: “Now that the legal proceedings have been concluded, we can comment on the departure of Tom Meighan from the band.
“No-one in the band wanted this to happen. We have all worked so hard for the past 23 years and had big plans for our future together. We’re completely heartbroken.
“But we were left with no choice but to ask Tom to leave the band. There is absolutely no way we can condone his assault conviction.
“Domestic violence and abuse of any kind is totally unacceptable.
“As soon as we found out about the charges made against Tom, we as a band made the decision that we could no longer work with him.
“Unfortunately we had to hold back this information until he was found guilty in court.
”We were led to believe that Tom would hold his hands up and in his state- ment tell everyone what he’d done but he chose not to, misleading a lot of fans.
“Ultimately as much as Tom has hurt us all we’re not the victim in all of this. Domestic violence is something that can never be excused. Thanks for your support at this difficult time.”
Meigham, 39, of Narborough, appeared in court to admit a single charge of assault by beating.
The founding member of the former Glastonbury headliners admitted pushing and dragging his partner around their home and back garden.
Police had been called to the house in response to a 999 call from a “panicked and afraid” child who was present when Meighan turned on his partner on the evening of Saturday, April 4.
Prosecutor Naeem Valli told the court that once in custody, Meighan told officers he and his partner had been in a relationship for four years and “had bickered a lot”.
“He initially said there was no incident,” Mr Valli said.
However, on being shown the footage from the two cameras, Meighan admitted he had thrown the victim across the room “in a rage”, Mr Valli said.
“He said he could not watch the footage because he said it was horrible and he could not bear to watch it.
“He admitted being intoxicated and could not remember the incident taking place.”
Michelle Heeley QC, representing Meighan, said her client was deeply remorseful, adding: “It is a personal humiliation, but he has nobody to blame but himself for that.
“He offers to his partner and the wider public his sincere apologies.
“He had been involved in a battle with alcohol and had returned from a period in rehabilitation. But he succumbed and began drinking again.”
Meighan was ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service once coronavirus lockdown restrictions are lifted.
He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £90 and prosecution costs of £85.
Meighan’s own statement, issued just before his court apperance, ssaid: “Tom Meighan is stepping down from Kasabian by mutual consent.
“Tom has struggled with personal issues that have affected his behaviour for quite some time and now wants to concentrate all his energies on getting his life back on track.”
In May last year, the band’s guitarist and main songwriter, Serge Pizzorno, launched a solo project under the name The SLP (his full name is Sergio Lorenzo Pizzorno).
The SLP’s self-titled debut album was released last month.
As soon as we found out about the charges, we made the decision we could no longer work with him
Kasabian