Morrissey sympathises with EDL founder Tommy Robinson saying his treatment 'has been shocking'

Morrissey says the treatment of English Defence League co-founder Tommy Robinson - who was jailed for 13 months last week after admitting breaking contempt of court laws - has been "shocking."

In an interview with Tremr, the former Smiths frontman appeared to back Robinson, who risked prejudicing an ongoing trial via a live stream on his Facebook page.

Robinson made clear that he was aware of legal restrictions surrounding the case during the Facebook Live video, as well as the danger of being jailed. The 35-year-old was already subject to a suspended sentence for committing contempt during a rape trial in Canterbury last year, and had been told that if he fell foul of the law again he would go to prison.

Despite this, Morrissey called his treatment "shocking" in a throwaway comment while discussing politics, in which he endorsed a new fringe right-wing political party.

"I have been following a new party called For Britain which is led by Anne Marie Waters," said the controversial musician. "It is the first time in my life that I will vote for a political party. Finally I have hope. I find the Tory-Labour-Tory-Labour constant switching to be pointless."

He went onto say that For Britain has garnered "no media support" and has been "dismissed" with "childish" claims that it's racist.

"I don’t think the word ‘racist’ has any meaning any more, other than to say “you don’t agree with me, so you’re a racist," Morrissey explained. "People can be utterly, utterly stupid."

From Morrissey's perspective, the idea of more free speech is appealing to him.

"Anne Marie Waters seeks open discussion about all aspects of modern Britain, whereas other parties will not allow diverse opinion," he said. "She is like a humane version of Thatcher … if such a concept could be. She is absolute leadership, she doesn’t read from a script, she believes in British heritage, freedom of speech, and she wants everyone in the UK to live under the same law."

He added that she is a compelling leader because the "Labour or Tories do not believe in free speech."

"I mean, look at the shocking treatment of Tommy Robinson..." he said.

Morrissey continued: "I know the media don’t want Anne Marie Waters and they try to smear her, but they are wrong and they should give her a chance, and they should stop accusing people who want open debate as being ‘racist’. As I said previously, the left has become right-wing and the right-wing has become left - a complete switch, and this is a very unhappy modern Britain."

Morrissey has received criticism and been accused of racism for saying London Mayor Sadiq Khan "can not talk properly."

He also called Nazi leader Hitler "left wing."

Following his contentious statements, he said: "I despise racism. I despise fascism. I would do anything for my Muslim friends, and I know they would do anything for me."