Morrissey ‘Refuses to Live in the UK Because of Immigration Explosion’
Daily Mail (London), November 28, 2007v
Music legend Morrissey is engulfed in a fresh racism row—after he said he refuses to live in Britain because of the “immigration explosion”.
The former Smiths singer, a native of Manchester who now lives in Rome, sparked fury by claiming: “England is a memory now.” And he moaned that Londoners speak with “every other accent under the sun” except British.
The comments have sparked fury among fans—with message boards slamming the singer.
The star sparked a racism row in the mid-90s when he wore a Union Jack on stage while supporting Madness, and released a track about immigrants titled Bengali In Platforms.
The solo star, who is the son of Irish immigrants, told NME: “The gates are flooded and anybody can have access to England and join in.
“The British identity is very attractive, I grew up into into it and I find it quaint and very amusing.
“Other countries have held on to their basic identity yet it seems to me that England was thrown away.
“The change in England is so rapid compared to the change in any other country.
“If you walk through Knightsbridge on any bland day of the week you won’t hear an English accent.
“You’ll hear every accent under the sun apart from the British accent.”
The comments were condemned by NME, which runs the interview in today’s edition.
Reporter Tim Jonze, who chatted with the singer, wrote: “Morrissey has had a stormy relationship with this magazine and its readers over the last three decades.
“He might once have been the voice of a generation but given his comments in these two interviews, he’s certainly not speaking for us now.”
Internet forums were today buzzing over the legendarily miserable star’s comments.
Smiths fan Slimjim, of Bradford, told one board: “It’s totally out of order. Morrissey sounds like a Tory MP these days.
“It’s a disgrace. I’ll think twice about buying his next album.”
Denis Fernando, a spokesman for Unite Against Fascism, said: “It is disturbing to hear anyone with these views, let alone someone like Morrissey.”
