Posters advertising Morrissey’s new album have been removed from trains and stations after a commuter complained over the singer’s controversial views.
Jack Dotchin, 32, saw the promotional material for the 60-year-old’s new album, California Son, around Merseyrail services and reported them claiming the former The Smiths frontman was ‘racist’.
Morrissey recently caused controversy after appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the US while wearing a badge supporting far-right party For Britain, which has called for the ‘end of Islamisation of the UK’.
But the rock star has repeatedly denied accusations of racism and has previously spoken about how UK politics ‘will not allow diverse opinion’. In 2007, he sparked controversy by saying Britain was losing its national identity.
‘England is a memory now’ he said in an interview with the NME. ‘The gates are flooded and anybody can have access to England and join in.’
Posters for Morrissey’s new album, pictured, have been taken down on Merseyrail services in Merseyside following a complaint from a commuter
Jack Dotchin, 32, said he was offended by the former The Smiths frontman’s views. Morrissey recently caused controversy by wearing a badge supporting far right party For Britain, ringed, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in the US
Mr Dotchin, of Toxteth, said: ‘[The things Morrissey has said] offend me and a lot of other people. He’s very far right these days, going on about immigrants.
‘It’s just strange to think Merseyrail, being a public service for the people, is advertising someone with his views.
‘It’s just pictures of Morrissey with his new album. He’s not doing anything inappropriate but his name is a by-name for questionable views at the moment.
‘Lots of record stores are refusing to stock it so I’m not the only one to say it.’
The removal of the posters caused some outrage on Twitter, with many claiming it was ‘censorship’ to take them down based on one complaint.
One Twitter user wrote: ‘Could you put those Morrissey posters back up please. Because one t***** has a problem means everyone else who gets joy from those posters are missing out.’
Another said: ‘This is Merseyrail’s priority?! Yet they glide past customer suggestions because there is no funding…’
But some people supported the actions and said Morrissey’s controversial views should have consequences.
Many on social media have criticised the decision and claimed Merseyrail should not have ‘censored’ the posters because of one complaint
Others said Merseyrail should be ‘ashamed’ and told the firm to ‘stick to trains’
A Twitter user said: ‘Fully agree with this. I still like The Smiths, though, which is getting awkward. I think you can separate art from artist but once they’re found out, they (or estate) shouldn’t profit from it any more.’
Merseyrail said posters across the service are placed by ad agency Exterion Media.
A Merseyrail spokesperson said: ‘Advertising on the Merseyrail network is managed by an external third party, who are currently in the process of removing these posters.
‘Processes are in place for Merseyrail to approve any potentially contentious material prior to it appearing on the network, however due to the nature of this advertisement it did not reach a level of verification.
‘Merseyrail will work with the third party supplier to improve this process in the future.’
Exterion declined to comment.
But others said they supported the decision and said Morrissey’s views mean he should ‘not profit’ from music
Last summer, Morrissey cancelled shows of his European tour after campaigners accused him of supporting the ‘far right’ and threatened to hold a protest party to coincide with a show.
The singer’s management cited ‘logistical problems beyond our control’ when breaking the news to fans.
It came after the singer was criticised by some for expressing support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
He said Robinson’s jailing in 2018 for breaking contempt laws by filming outside a court was an example of how ‘Britain’s biggest political parties are against freedom of expression’.
He 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.’