Morrissey has provided further comments on his ongoing court matter, which involves claims that he has been the subject of what he calls “the very worst case of online identity fraud”.
The singer and former Smiths frontman shared an update with supporters last spring, posting on his website that he was caught up in legal proceedings after finding out that someone was allegedly pretending to be him on the internet.
He said he had been contacted by an online protection company called The Web Sheriff, who informed him that they had “discovered an online campaign of fraud, disinformation and defamation” directed at him.
“THE SCALE OF THE MANIPULATION IS ONE OF THE WORST AND MOST MALICIOUS EVER SEEN BY THE TEAM, WHO HAVE WORKED ON SIMILAR CASES FOR BEYONCÉ, PRINCE, BOB DYLAN, ADELE AND RADIOHEAD,” the update on Morrissey Central stated.
“The campaign against Morrissey is characterised by fake websites, impersonation on social media, identity fraud, and sustained harassment on Facebook, X, Twitter, Instagram, all social networks that Morrissey has not ever visited,” it continued. “Emerging online data is falsely signed in Morrissey’s name in an attempt to associate the artist with false narratives designed to destroy his career.”
It also stated that the impersonation activity stretches back “several years”, and repeated that the singer has “no personal presence on such networks, and has not ever possessed a smartphone”.
Now Morrissey has issued another update on the case, saying that nine individuals are now believed to be involved in the impersonation activity.
“Eighteen months ago The Web Sheriff contacted Morrissey’s ex manager, Merck Mercuriadis,” the new statement read. “The Sheriff advised Merck that they had discovered ‘the very worst case of online identity fraud’ namely, nine individuals masquerading as Morrissey operating on behalf of various political groups.”
The post also alleged that those behind the activity were encouraging fans to “actively join factions and movements advocating various political ideas” though it did not specify which “movements” were being referenced.
Of the nine individuals, the statement claims one person allegedly posted “1,800 online messages”. It also said another individual was “connected to an ex member of The Smiths” and had posted content that “severely harmed Morrissey’s status and character”.
Regarding the legal steps being taken, the update said there is a “planned operation to take police action against the nine individuals” and that it “requires appointment of two legal firms”. It added that “the financial commitment of extensive and unremitting expenditure is outside of Morrissey’s personal capacity to shoulder.”
Morrissey’s statement concluded by saying that the “next move” in the investigation is currently “under consideration”.
In last year’s statement, the team representing Morrissey claimed that one person had published “an enormous amount of material about our client on an almost daily basis”, and had also “left and or posted written notes at and to” Morrissey’s home (as per Music Business Worldwide).
Their claim also stated that the “narrative of [that person’s] posts almost exclusively relates to ‘far right’ politics, and in particular, those politics which are the antithesis of our client and what he has always stood for and represented.”
They also described Morrissey as “a pacifist, apolitical” individual who has “never joined a political party or voted”, saying the impersonators were “creating and perpetuating a harmful global narrative that is inaccurate, defamatory and has driven the media to repeat these falsehoods.”
There has been ongoing debate around Morrissey’s reported political views in recent years, with the singer previously showing support for the political group For Britain, and wearing their badge during a television appearance in 2019.
In earlier comments, he has referred to Chinese people as a “subspecies”, called Hitler “left wing”, and said that London Mayor Sadiq Khan “can not talk properly”. After criticism for his support of English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson, he later released a statement saying he “despised racism and fascism” and expressed support for Muslims.
The former Smiths frontman released his fourteenth solo album ‘Make Up Is A Lie’ in March through Sire Records, and has since announced a European headline tour planned for the summer.
Last month, he confirmed plans for a United Kingdom tour scheduled for December, with those dates not including any shows in London, following what was previously described as his only UK performance of the year at The O2 in London in February.
He also cancelled several shows in the United States earlier this year, citing “artist illness” and an “adverse reaction to a prescription medication”. He later called off a performance in Valencia last month “due to sleep deprivation”.
In other news, Morrissey has said he was behind the original idea for the well known photograph of The Smiths taken outside Salford Lads Club, and has corrected Johnny Marr regarding the history of the band signing with Rough Trade.
He has also been announced as one of the headline acts for this year’s CBGB Festival in New York in September, alongside Patti Smith, Interpol and Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter.
