Morrissey claims Ukip’s leadership election was 'rigged' against anti-Islam candidate Anne-Marie Waters

The former Smiths frontman continues to show support for far-right politicians
Morrissey shares support for anti-Islam activist during radio session
(Kevin Winter/ Getty Images)
Hanna Flint2 October 2017
The Weekender

Sign up to our free weekly newsletter for exclusive competitions, offers and theatre ticket deals

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Morrissey has accused Ukip of rigging the voting of their leadership election which saw Henry Bolton come out top.

The musician and former Smiths frontman claims the far-right party contrived a result to ensure that anti-Islam activist, Anne-Marie Waters did not win.

“I was very surprised the other day, it was very interesting to me to see Anne-Marie Waters become the head of Ukip”, Morrissey said during a BBC 6 session at their Maida Vale studios.

“Oh no, sorry, she didn’t. The voting was rigged. Sorry, I forgot.”

Anne-Marie Waters was a Ukip leadership candidate
Getty Images

Waters is the chair of anti-Islam organisation Sharia Watch UK and had previously described the religion as “evil.”

It’s not the first time Morrissey has expressed his support for Ukip and its members.

In 2016 he described Nigel Farage as a “liberal educator” who is “loathed by the BBC because [he] respects equal freedom for all people,” having three years earlier said that he nearly voted for the far right party.

Morrissey then and now - in pictures

1/4

"I nearly voted for Ukip. I like Nigel Farage a great deal," he told Loaded magazine. "His views are quite logical – especially where Europe is concerned, although it was plain daft of him to applaud the lavish expense of the royal wedding at a time when working-class England were told to cut back, shut-up and get stuffed."

After the Manchester Terror Attack, the singer was criticised for his comments suggesting politicians are safe despite the fact Jo Cox MP was murdered by a terrorist.

"In modern Britain everyone seems petrified to officially say what we all say in private. Politicians tell us they are unafraid, but they are never the victims,” he posted on Facebook.

“How easy to be unafraid when one is protected from the line of fire. The people have no such protections.”

Standard Online has contacted Ukip’s spokesperson for comment.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in