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Morrissey denounces NME over racism row
Ed Harris, Evening Standard4 Dec 2007
Morrissey was today expected to hit back over claims he is racist as the row over his views on immigration continues to simmer.
The singer was poised to denounce the NME, the music magazine that carried an interview with the former Smiths frontman in which it quoted him as saying: "The gates of England are flooded. The country's been thrown away."
Morrissey, 48, who lives in Rome, was reported to be posting a statement on his website today, explaining why he had issued a writ for defamation against the NME and its editor, Conor McNicholas, claiming the magazine was out to get him.
"I believe they have deliberately tried to characterise me as a racist in a recent interview which I gave them in order to boost their dwindling circulation," the son of Irish immigrants says. "Racism is beyond common sense and has no place in our society."
Reader views (3)
Funny when you think about it though, the NME used to be the biggest Morrissey fan boys in the world. Some people even called the paper the New Morrissey Express because they always had fawning articles about him. I still love Morrissey, but have always hated the NME.
- David Kitemaker-Hall, London, UK, 06/12/2007 11:07
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How exciting… Another senile moment from this plodding fuddy-duddy, distorted beyond recognition by the New Musical Ennui and blown out of proportion by the rest of the media. It speaks volumes of the state of today’s music industry that it relies on old chestnuts like this to shift papers and records. Morrissey’s interviews used to be a joy to read – they were sharp and funny. Now he just sounds like Ann Widdecombe. Shouldn’t he have packed it in years ago? And shouldn’t the NME have folded aeons ago, before they established a reputation for themselves as purveyors of tedium? A pox on them both!
- Yannis, London, UK, 05/12/2007 14:41
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Go Morrissey! Just read the article! An absolute disgrace and a blatant attempt to twist his words. It's a joke to think this is even an issue.
- Megan, Melbourne, Australia, 04/12/2007 22:31
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