Morrissey blasts queen

Morrissey has compared Queen Elizabeth to Libyan dictator Colonel Gaddafi.

The British monarch is currently on a historic four-day state visit to the Republic of Ireland but the former Smiths singer - who is famously opposed to the monarchy - is not impressed and says it is little more than a PR stunt to 're-invent the Windsors'.

He said: 'The queen's visit to Ireland is part of a new Palace PR campaign to re-invent the Windsors. The message from the queen will be the same as ever: who we are born to is more important than what we achieve in life.

'The very existence of the queen and her now enormous family - all supported by the British taxpayer whether the British taxpayer likes it or not - is entirely against any notion of democracy, and is against freedom of speech. For a broad historical view of what the queen is and how she 'rules', examine Gaddafi or (former Egyptian president) Mubarak, and see if you can spot any difference. You won't be able to.'

Continuing his outburst, the 51-year-old Queen Is Dead singer called the 85-year-old monarch a 'fascist' and implored her to return the six counties of Northern Ireland which are currently under British rule to the Republic of Ireland.

He told Ireland's Hot Press magazine: 'The queen also has the power to give back six counties to the Irish people, allowing Ireland to be a nation once again. The fact that she has not done so is Fascism in full flow. What else could it be? Name one other European country that is controlled by its neighbour.'