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Morrissey fans 'walk out of show' after singer mocks Nicola Sturgeon

Controversial singer elicited screams and boos from the audience after making a joke about the Scottish first minister

Roisin O'Connor
Music Correspondent
Monday 19 February 2018 09:05 GMT
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Nicola Sturgeon responds to criticism from Morrissey

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Morrissey took a swipe at Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon during a show in Glasgow, reportedly prompting some fans to "walk out".

The former Smiths frontman, not unknown for making controversial statements, apparently asking: "Do you actually like Nicola Sturgeon" at a point during the show.

Fans on social media claimed a large portion of the audience walked out in protest at his comments.

One wrote: "I'm near the front in a space. Big crowd just left" while another said: "If I hadn't paid so much for my ticket I'd been out the door with the dozen or so I saw leave in section J."

However some claimed that no one walked out, believing that the people booing were responding to Sturgeon's name, not Morrissey's comment.

A review in the Guardian referenced the moment, writing that he asked: "I'm curious, do you actually like Nicola Sturgeon?" before adding: "Those hands would be in anybody's pocket" which elicited "a chaotic mixture of screams and boos".

Morrissey has appeared intent on winding up both fans and critics in recent months. In November last year he sparked a furious backlash after appearing to defend Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein, telling a German newspaper some alleged victims of sexual harassment or assault were "just disappointed" that they hadn't been given a "great career".

His comments prompted the likes of Garbage singer Shirley Manson to tweet from the band's account and write that he had "lost the f**king plot". Morrissey later attempted to backtrack and claim the publication had misquoted him. The newspaper then published the full audio of the interview with his comments in full.

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