Paul Cook the drummer for iconic punk band the Sex Pistols has said that the band is “probably gone for good” due to the ongoing legal dispute with John Lydon.

Lydon or Johnny Rotten as most of their fans know him is being sued by two of his former bandmates, Cook and guitarist Steve Jones. This is because he refused to license the group’s music for inclusion in a biopic series by Danny Boyle titled ‘Pistol’.

The Pistols’ first bassist Glen Matlock and the estate of late bassist Sid Vicious both support their music being featured in Boyle’s show. Lydon, however, argues that the licensing cannot be granted without his consent.

Cook whilst giving evidence at the London High Court yesterday  (July 20), was as reported in the Mail asked by Lydon’s representative whether Sex Pistols were “gone for good”. In response, he replied: “Probably”.

It is claimed by both Cook and Jones that the band had a “majority rules agreement” in place over the rights to the band’s material. “I thought that our relationship with John would get worse when we used it,” In his witness statement Cook said. “Maybe Steve [Jones] and I have been too nice to John over the years in trying to maintain good relations and that we should have been tougher.”

He then added, “I am unhappy that he would behave like this over an important personal project for Steve, particularly as we have always backed his personal projects.”Mark Cunningham QC, Lydon’s representative, told Cook “You don’t much care how John cares about the Pistol project.” To which he replied, “No, you’re wrong.”