Morrissey has defended Kevin Spacey after the actor was accused of sexual harassment and says some of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged victims are “merely disappointed”.
The former Smiths frontman made the remarks in an interview with German news website, Der Spiegel, saying it was “ridiculous” that Spacey was being replaced in the forthcoming film ‘All the Money In the World’.
Last month, the ‘House Of Cards’ actor was accused of sexual harassment by the actor Anthony Rapp at a party when he was just 14 years old.
Morrissey told Der Spiegel (according to a translation by AV Club): “As far as I know, he was in a bedroom with a 14-year-old. Kevin Spacey was 26, boy 14. One wonders where the boy’s parents were.
“One wonders if the boy did not know what would happen. I do not know about you, but in my youth I have never been in situations like this. Never.
“I was always aware of what could happen. When you are in somebody’s bedroom, you have to be aware of where that can lead to. That’s why it does not sound very credible to me. It seems to me that Spacey has been attacked unnecessarily.”
Twenty people have made subsequent complaints about Spacey over incidents that allegedly took place during his time at London’s Old Vic Theatre.
In the same interview, Morrissey was also asked about the numerous sexual assault and harassment allegations levelled at movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, claiming some of the victims “know exactly what’s going on”.
He added: “And they play along. Afterwards, they feel embarrassed or disliked. And then they turn it around and say: ‘I was attacked, I was surprised’. But if everything went well, and if it had given them a great career, they would not talk about it.
”I hate rape. I hate attacks. I hate sexual situations that are forced on someone. But in many cases one looks at the circumstances and thinks that the person who is considered a victim is merely disappointed.”
The singer added that many famous musicians had slept with fans who were under the age of consent over the years.
“Throughout the history of music and rock ‘n’ roll there have been musicians who slept with their groupies,” he said.
“If you go through history, almost everyone is guilty of sleeping with minors. Why not throw everyone in jail right away?”
Several stars have since blasted the singer for his comments, led by Shirley Manson of Garbage, who accused him of “losing the plot”.
A tweeted posted on Garbage’s official Twitter account, read: “Morrissey has lost the fucking plot. Weinstein + Spacey unfairly attacked? For rape, sexual abuse+coercion etc. Fuck U Morrissey! Fuck YOU.”