Morrissey defends Tommy Robinson and new far-right party

Morrissey shares his opinions in a new interview

Former Smiths frontman Morrissey has defended Tommy
Robinson after the far-right activist was jailed for 13
months.

Former
English Defence League (EDL) leader Robinson, real name Stephen
Yaxley-Lennon, was found guilty of contempt of court offences for
broadcasting “an hour-long video to Facebook outside Leeds
Crown Court, making comments that risked the collapse a trial”,
reports The Guardian. That trial “still has reporting
restrictions placed on it”, the newspaper adds.

His imprisonment led to hundreds of people staging an impromptu
demonstration outside Downing Street calling for his release –
and now Morrissey has entered the fray. 

In a new interview with music journalist Fiona Dodwell on
blogging site Tremr, the singer said: “It’s very obvious
that Labour or the Tories do not believe in free speech… I mean,
look at the shocking treatment of Tommy Robinson.”

Morrissey also underlined his support for the right-wing party
For Britain, set up by former UKIP leadership candidate Anne Marie
Waters.

The 59-year-old musician – who has previously voiced support for
the party because “they have the best approach to animal welfare” –
said: “It is the first time in my life that I will vote for a
political party. Finally, I have hope. I find the
Tory-Labour-Tory-Labour constant switching to be pointless.

“For Britain has received no media support and have even been
dismissed with the usual childish ‘racist’ accusation. I don’t
think the word ‘racist’ has any meaning any more, other than to
say, ‘You don’t agree with me, so you’re a racist’. People can be
utterly, utterly stupid.”

He continued: “Anne Marie Waters seeks open discussion about all
aspects of modern Britain, whereas other parties will not allow
diverse opinion. She is like a humane version of Thatcher… if
such a concept could be.

“She is absolute leadership, she doesn’t read from a script, she
believes in British heritage, freedom of speech, and she wants
everyone in the UK to live under the same law.”

Waters stood as an anti-Islamic candidate in the UKIP leadership
battle last year. Her proposals included “a ban on the burka, the
closure of all sharia councils, and a temporary freeze on all
immigration”, according to the BBC.