SINGER Morrissey says he was quizzed by the FBI and Special Branch over his outspoken criticism of the US and British governments.
The former Smiths frontman, who has previously branded American President George Bush a terrorist and denounced the war in Iraq, said the experience showed neither country was a democratic society.
He told the NME: "The FBI and the Special Branch have investigated me and I've been interviewed and taped and so forth."
The singer, who lives in Los Angeles, added: "They were trying to determine if I was a threat to the government, and similarly in England.
"But it didn't take them very long to realise that I'm not.
Political
"I don't belong to any political groups, I don't really say anything unless I'm asked directly and I don't even demonstrate in public."
Explaining what he thought had prompted the move, the 46-year-old said: "My view is that neither England or America are democratic societies. You can't really speak your mind and if you do you're investigated even though it's just a basic process that must be done."
In 2004 Morrissey urged American voters to get rid of President Bush, saying he had turned the US into the most "neurotic and terror-obsessed country on the planet".
He sparked controversy earlier that year when he reportedly told a concert in Dublin he wished the current president had died instead of Ronald Reagan.
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You have to love him for his personal honesty.
Unless Morrissey is a US Citizen he should NOT be so vocal on US issues!!
I love Morrissey's music but obviously he is an ignorant ass. Much like these other celebs who think they know the way to run the world. It's sad because his music (especially with The Smiths) is quite magical.
Sadly Morrissey is right, both Britain and the US profess to be free nations, then arrest and imprison people for speaking their minds, or pass illiberal legislation that curtails free speech and freedom to assemble for non violent protest. The former eastern bloc countries had laws that did the same things to its people, and yet today, they have shed this yoke, and it seems to me nowadays that the once free beacons of the west are now less free than these countries now are.
Is anybody really interested if morrisy has been interveiwed by the FBI??I dont think so?
stick to making music,
It is such a relief that the FBI and MI5 are out there protecting us from the likes of Morrissy.
Perhaps they will put him in Guantanamo if he produces another miserable song to terrorize us with.
Besides why do we need freedom of speech when we have such incorruptible leaders like Bush and Blair to look after us.
morrisey is right!!!
the freedom of opinion and speech is compromised by anglo-american politics which interrogates people that think otherwise.
Why do idiots like morrisey moan about the people who run the countrys they live in? or their politics ,I think we have enough of these people in britain if they dont like it move to a country that they like,Instead of constantly moaning about other peoples politics .I hope he dosnt want to come back to britain."Fingers crossed"
Since when has being a US citizen made you immune fro protesting against US issues. The same is certainly not the case in Britian. The enlightened ones amongst us emigrated as soon as Blair was elected. The best decision of my life considering the state of Britian now
Rebecca, Manchester we are all entitled to opions on anything...that is what democracy and freedom of speech has brought to the western world. Your sort of censorship would be backward and dangerous.
Amazing! The intelligence Services cant find Bin Laden (a 6.5 Saudi with a limp and a gun living in a cave in Afghanistan) but they can find Morrissey who has been out of the public eye for years! Same as when they found Cat Stevens a year or so back. The stopped him in the USA and threw him out of the country! They found cat Stevens after 30 years of reclusion! Who says our informed and 'lack of' Intelligence Services arent good? What next, McArthur era witch hunts for people who have eyes to close together? Madness. Lets sever our ties with the USA, nothing but trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Morrisey is right. There has been a detectable change in the last few years, certainly in the UK. The Government here is getting far too close to people's lives for comfort. For example, what about inspectors being able to enter your home to see how you've bettered yourself by hard work? Your rateable value will increase as a result. I'll leave matters to my Alsatian dog!
Rebecca - Morrissey DOES live in the US so he can say what he likes. Roll on Moz, I admire people who say what they think and not pander to people like Rebecca who would have all our mouths sewn shut !
Good ole Moz, I guess if your music doen't help you grab the headlines there is nothing like a little political intrigue. So I guess he is no longer in the "Bengali In Platforms" and "National Front Disco" frame of mind. Of course what he says about what is happening to the US and UK are correct and I am glad to hear it.