Smiths frontman Morrissey attacks Bank of England over new £5 note
Former Smiths singer Morrissey has hit out at the Bank of England's new five pound note, suggesting that people who do not take issue with it should donate their own bodies for "decorative use in future five pound notes".
The outspoken Meat Is Murder singer reacted angrily after it was revealed that traces of tallow - animal fat - is used in the new £5 note.
Vegetarians, vegans, and some religious groups have raised concerns about using the notes, which were introduced into circulation in September.
Morrissey, who is a well-known animal rights activist, posted a statement on his True To You fan site criticising the media, the Bank, and people who do not take issue with the new notes.
He wrote: "If it had been revealed by the Bank of England that the new British Five Pound note contained slices of cat or dog, the country would be in an uproar.
"But because we have been trained to accept the vicious slaughter of cows, sheep and pigs, the UK media can only make light of the use of tallow in the new British fiver because animal slaughter is thought to be outside of the human grasp and concern.
"However, whether you care about animals or not, the use of their sliced bodies in the new five pound note evokes a mood and a vibration that displays a gaping hole in human intelligence and in the human race as a compassionate idea."
He added: "It also tells us that the Bank of England has no understanding of doing anything in our time that revives the human image from basic savagery.
"If you feel that the use of animal flesh should not be a moral issue, then you should assert your conviction by donating your own body to the Bank Of England for decorative use in future five pound notes."
Morrissey has been known to ban food outlets from cooking meat during festivals he performs at, and once compared meat-eating to paedophilia.
In 2009 he left the stage at Coachella festival, telling the audience: "I can smell burning flesh ... and I hope to God it's human."