Morrissey was back in the news yesterday after a former security guard accused the singer of asking him to physically harm the editor of a fan site. Last night, Moz quickly responded to what he called a “false news” report and denounced the accusation as “a vexatious lie.”
According to TMZ, Moz’s camp asked hired muscle Bradley Steyn to cause harm, and possibly even kill, morrissey-solo.com editor and founder David Tseng. Steyn is allegedly suing Morrissey because he refused the offer and in doing so was fired from the recent World Peace Is None Of Your Business tour (a title that takes on another level of irony after the revelation of this lawsuit).
Morrissey has already spoken out via routinely approved fan site True To You.
“The very idea that I would ask a complete stranger (Bradley Steyn) to physically attack David Tseng surely cannot register with any sane person as being likely,” As mildly irritating as David Tseng may be, he is not someone who troubles me enough to even bother with.”
Back in 1989, Morrissey touched on this in song: “I never wanted to kill / I am not naturally evil / Such things I do / Just to make myself / More attractive to you / Have I failed?”
Here’s his statement on full:
Bradley Steyn
30 July 2014I cannot admit to actually “knowing” Bradley Steyn. Yes, I am aware that he is South African and that he lives in Los Angeles, and that he has “walked off” three Morrissey tours – which really is his own business, not mine. My personal involvement with him has been zero, and he has certainly never been Head Of Security on any Morrissey tour.
I am aware of the false story he has placed on various news sites wherein he claims I asked him to “hurt” (kill?) David Tseng. Although Steyn’s story lends itself to its own ridicule, I feel I must say to those who have not yet worked it out, that the story is a vexatious lie.
It is common knowledge that I dislike the SoLow site, and I am aware that all of the opinions posted on the site are controlled or written by David Tseng, and that David Tseng will give maximum and inexhaustive publicity to anything said in the negative about me. This is a general truth that most people accept about SoLow. It is nothing new, and I have long since learned to accept it.
The very idea that I would ask a complete stranger (Bradley Steyn) to physically attack David Tseng surely cannot register with any sane person as being likely. As mildly irritating as David Tseng may be, he is not someone who troubles me enough to even bother with.
The shabby truth of this drama is that Bradley Steyn has been trying to extract money from what he terms “the Morrissey tour”, and he has failed. He is now desperate, and this story is his latest escapade to gain someone’s attention. What he is telling the world is that, as a music venue security officer, anyone who works with him in the future should expect the same harassment and persecution as he is now – mysteriously – wielding my way. It is beyond belief, and it is shocking that someone who makes claims of professionalism would lower himself to this level.Please note that Bradley Steyn’s statement is now in the hands of the Los Angeles Police Department, and is subject to both criminal and civil action.
MORRISSEY
30 July 2014.