Kasabian’s Tom Meighan speaks publicly for first time since assaulting partner: ‘I regret everything that happened that night’
Meighan’s girlfriend says she asked police not to prosecute singer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former Kasabian musician Tom Meighan has spoken for the first time after pleading guilty to assaulting his partner.
In July, the singer quit the rock band he had performed with for 23 years citing “personal issues”, appearing in court less than 24 hours later to plead guilty to assaulting Vikki Ager, his partner of four years.
Meighan was given an 18-month community order and 200 hours of community service by Leicester Magistrates Court.
Speaking about the incident for the first time, the 39-year-old told Cornwall Live that the pair had both had too much to drink before the event, with it coming at a point when he was “at a boiling point in my life” and “drowning myself” with alcohol.
“I regret everything that happened that night – what I can remember of it,” he said. “I don’t condone it – it’s horrific. I love my partner to pieces… We had a fight and I took the brunt for it. I was fully responsible for what happened but we love each other and we’re getting over it.”
Ager said that the fight was a one-off incident and that it had been her daughter who called the police. Ager claimed that she asked the police not to proceed with the prosecution at the time and insisted that it wasn’t a case of domestic violence.
Meighan said he wanted to apologise to “my partner for all the stress it caused, I want to apologise to Kasabian and I want to apologise to the fans – all the people I let down”.
The musician was the lead vocalist for “Fire” band Kasabian, which he formed in Leicester in 1997 with Sergio Pizzorno and Chris Edwards.
The band enjoyed vast success in the 2000s and 2010s with their albums, including Kasabian, Empire, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum and Velociraptor!.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
If you or someone you know has been affected by the issues addressed in this article, you can call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247 or visit www.refuge.org.uk.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments