Singer Morrissey is known for his outspoken animal activism and controversial statements.
Singer Morrissey is known for his outspoken animal activism and controversial statements. Reuters

British singer Morrissey has said he sees no difference between eating animals and paedophilia.

The famously outspoken former Smiths singer made the controversial remark in a question and answer session on the fan website True to You.

Matthew from Preston asked: "Knowing that you are a loyal and proud vegetarian, I would like to ask you what is it that motivated you to stop eating meat for good?"

Morrissey's reply read: "If you have access to YouTube, you should click on to what is called The video the meat industry doesn't want you to see.

If you believe in the abattoir then you would support Auschwitz. There's no difference.
Morrissey

"If this doesn't affect you in a moral sense then you're probably granite. I see no difference between eating animals and paedophilia. They are both rape, violence, murder. If I'm introduced to anyone who eats beings, I walk away.

"Imagine, for example, if you were in a nightclub and someone said to you, 'Hello, I enjoy bloodshed, throat-slitting and the destruction of life'. I doubt if you'd want to exchange phone numbers."

To another question about Morrissey's proudest achievement in life, the singer responded: "Many people have told me that they stopped eating flesh because of something I said. I can't ask higher than that and I wouldn't aim for higher than that.

"If you believe in the abattoir then you would support Auschwitz. There's no difference."

In another post thought to be a reference to UK television chef Jamie Oliver, Morrissey said: "If Jamie 'Orrible is so certain that flesh-food is tasty then why doesn't he stick one of his children in a microwave?"

The singer, who is known for his outspoken animal activism, recently published his autobiography, which he insisted on being published in the Penguin Classics series. The Smiths' second studio album was called Meat is Murder.