Morrissey describes Chinese as 'subspecies'

Morrissey has described the Chinese people as "a subspecies".

The ex-Smiths frontman made the comments while discussing animal rights in an interview with The Guardian at the weekend.

Speaking to poet Simon Armitage, Morrissey said: "Did you see the thing on the news about their treatment of animals and animal welfare? Absolutely horrific. You can't help but feel that the Chinese are a subspecies."

Armitage later added: "I thought at the time it was a dangerous thing to say into a tape recorder. He must have known it would make waves, he's not daft.

"But he's provocative and theatrical, and it was one of dozens of dramatic pronouncements. I'm not an apologist for that kind of remark, and couldn't ignore it.

"But clearly, when it comes to animal rights and animal welfare, he's absolutely unshakable in his beliefs. In his view, if you treat an animal badly, you are less than human. I think that was his point."

Martin Smith, a spokesman for Love Music Hate Racism, a group to which Morrissey donated £28,000 in 2008 following his allegedly anti-immigration comments to NME, criticised the outburst.

"It really is just crude racism," Smith said. "When you start using language like 'subspecies', you are entering into dark and murky water. I don't think we would, or could, ask him to come back after that."

In a later statement, Morrissey said: "If anyone has seen the horrific and unwatchable footage of the Chinese cat and dog trade - animals skinned alive - then they could not possibly argue in favour of China as a caring nation.

"There are no animal protection laws in China and this results in the worst animal abuse and cruelty on the planet. It is indefensible."