The shadow justice secretary, Richard Burgon, has insisted he was “genuinely hurt and distressed” by an article in the Sun that claimed a heavy metal band he performed with used Nazi imagery, as part of his continuing libel case against the newspaper.

Burgon gave evidence for a second day at the high court, arguing that the piece entitled “Reich and Roll: Labour’s justice boss ridiculed after he joins a heavy metal band that delights in Nazi symbols” was “highly defamatory, false and unfair”.

He had previously told the court that an image tweeted by the Leeds heavy metal band Dream Tröll, which the Sun alleges used the “S” from the logo of the Nazi paramilitary organisation the SS, was in reality a spoof of Black Sabbath’s 1975 album We Sold Our Soul For Rock ’n’ Roll. Burgon repeatedly insisted that he would not appear on a stage that featured Nazi iconography.

Richard Burgon. Photograph: Jonathan Brady/PA

The Sun’s publisher, News Group Newspapers, and its political editor, Tom Newton Dunn, argued that the image was “strongly reminiscent of Nazi iconography” and that Burgon “demonstrated terrible misjudgment and exposed himself to ridicule” by appearing with the Leeds group, especially in the light of claims of antisemitism within the Labour party.

Continuing his evidence at the high court in London on Thursday, Burgon said he was “very distressed” about the publication of the article, which his lawyers said involved a “deliberate misrepresentation” for political reasons.

Adam Wolanski QC, acting for the newspaper, asked: “Is it fair to say you don’t like the Sun very much?”

Burgon responded: “I probably like them as much as they like me.”

The MP, who would become lord chancellor and be in charge of the UK legal system if Labour came to power, denied wanting to shut down the Sun and insisted he was “not a litigious person”.

He said this was “the first time I have brought a case against any newspaper”, adding: “The reason I have brought it is because I am genuinely hurt and distressed by the link with the word and concept of Nazi and delighting in Nazi imagery. It is the most serious and grave of accusations.”

At one point questioning turned to a discussion of classic album artwork, with Burgon telling the court he did not remember Andy Warhol’s “banana” artwork on the debut release by the Velvet Underground and Nico.

In his witness statement to the court, Newton Dunn, who is a joint defendant alongside his newspaper, said he was aware of the use of German typography by heavy metal bands but insisted the Leeds East MP should be held to a higher standard than Black Sabbath: “I remain firmly of the opinion that it is completely inappropriate for [Burgon] to maintain associations with imagery, iconography and cultural references which are offensive, provocative and potentially upsetting to a number of everyday British citizens.”

He added: “Associating yourself with the use of Nazi imagery, with its connotations of criminality, violence and extremism, is not appropriate for someone who aspires to lead the justice system and preside over law and order.”

The court will hear final statements on Friday, with the judge expected to reserve judgment.