'Have you forgotten Jo Cox?': Former Smiths frontman Morrissey slammed for criticising politicians over Manchester attack

Morrissey has stirred anger on social media after saying politicians are never the victims as he hit out at the political response to the Manchester Arena bombing.

The Manchester-born singer criticised statements made by Prime Minister Theresa May, Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham and London mayor Sadiq Khan in the wake of the attack that left at least 22 dead and injured dozens.

In a Facebook post that has been shared more than 17,000 times since it was posted on Tuesday night, the former Smiths frontman wrote: "In modern Britain everyone seems petrified to officially say what we all say in private. Politicians tell us they are unafraid, but they are never the victims.

Explosion rocks Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, in pictures

"How easy to be unafraid when one is protected from the line of fire. The people have no such protections."

Social media users were quick to remind the outspoken singer of Jo Cox, the MP who was shot and stabbed multiple times by right-wing extremist Thomas Mair in her constituency last June.

"All respect lost for Morrissey; says politicians are never the victims but seems to forget about a certain Jo Cox," one said on Twitter.

Another wrote: "Jo Cox wasn't 'protected from the line of fire', was she, Morrissey?"

Others pointed out a terrorist targeted parliament in March and the IRA tried to blow up Margaret Thatcher in Brighton in 1984.  

Morrissey said he was celebrating his birthday in the city when news of the Manchester atrocity broke.

He said: "The anger is monumental. For what reason will this ever stop?

"Theresa May says such attacks 'will not break us' but her own life is lived in a bullet-proof bubble, and she evidently does not need to identify any young people today in Manchester morgues.

"Also, 'will not break us' means that the tragedy will not break her, or her policies on immigration.

"The young people of Manchester are already broken - thanks all the same, Theresa."

Taking aim at Mr Khan's statement that the capital is "united with Manchester," he commented: "But he does not condemn Islamic State - who have claimed responsibility for the bomb."

He added: "Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says the attack is the work of an 'extremist'. An extreme what? An extreme rabbit?"

Morrissey, a vociferous republican, said the Queen had received "absurd" praise despite not cancelling a garden party at Buckingham Palace "for which no criticism is allowed in the Britain of free press".

In contrast, Ms Cox's husband, Brendan, praised Mrs May's words on the atrocity.

"Powerful statement from Theresa May. Thank you. #WeWillNeverBeBroken."

Born Steven Patrick Morrissey in Davyhulme, Greater Manchester, the 58-year-old is known for his contrarian style and provocative commentary on events.

Throughout his career, which took off with The Smiths in the early 1980s, his material has also reflected on life in Manchester and the country today.

Former bandmate Johnny Marr earlier joined a stream of Mancunian artists to pay tribute to the victims of Monday's tragedy, tweeting: "Manchester stands together."

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