Morrissey delivers scathing rant on England ‘criminalising’ free speech: ‘Cannot speak freely’

Former The Smiths frontman Morrissey has slammed cancel culture, arguing England has “criminalised” free speech.

The 65-year-old has spoken out previously about his views but insisted he isn’t “far-right” after an unreleased album caused controversy.

Earlier this year, the singer-songwriter claimed he was being “deleted” from the 1980s rock band.

Last week, the musician made his feelings known once again as he took to a New Jersey stage for a solo performance.

“As you know, nobody will release my music anymore,” he told fans in the US, APP reports.

He continued: “As you know because I’m a chief exponent of free speech. In England at least, it’s now criminalised.

“You cannot speak freely in England. If you don’t believe me, go there.

“Express an opinion, you’ll be sent to prison. It’s very, very difficult.”

The outspoken singer didn’t allude to what his remarks related to, but it’s likely he was referring to his unreleased album, Bonfire of the Teenagers.

He recorded the album between 2020 and 2021, but Capitol Records shelved it following controversies surrounding the singer’s political beliefs.

It came in 2022 when Morrissey told fans he had “voluntarily withdrawn from any association with Capitol Records,” which came just two months after he announced he’d be releasing the album with them.

He also revealed Miley Cyrus, who had recorded backing vocals for one of the tracks, I Am Veronica in 2020, had asked to have her work removed from the song.

The decision by the 31-year-old singer and the record company came as the singer faced backlash for openly supporting controversial hard-right party For Britain, who have an anti-Islam focus.

In 2019, he wore a badge supporting the party during a television appearance.

Morrissey’s former bandmate Johnny Marr has also distanced himself and the band from him, stating once that the singer’s political stance had “cast a shadow over The Smiths”.

Last summer, the vocalist shared a statement about the album’s cancellation, accusing Capital Records of “fascism”.

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Morrissey also fired his management team after Marr’s statement recently.

In August, the vocalist claimed Marr had “ignored” a lucrative offer from AEG Entertainment Group to reunite the band, going on to accuse Marr of “blocking” a Greatest Hits album.

Following this, he claimed Marr now owns all “trademark rights and intellectual property” of The Smiths, with the band able to tour without him.