Johnny Marr has spoken out about his controversial former bandmate Morrissey.

The duo, who co-founded The Smiths, have taken drastically different routes through the music industry since the band split in 1987.

Former lead singer Morrissey, in particular, has taken to voicing his political opinions more prominently in recent years. It is these views that have moved both him and Marr further apart in common understanding. At one stage, Morrissey seemingly suggested that Hitler was left-wing before hitting out London mayor Sadiq Kahn by saying he “cannot talk properly” in an explosive interview. To follow, the 58-year-old seemingly offered his support to the controversial right-wing figure Tommy Robinson.

[MORE] – Morrissey says the treatment of far-right activist Tommy Robinson is ‘shocking’

Now, when asked directly about his former bandmate, Marr couldn’t hold back his disappointment but made it clear that time has played a factor in their relationship. “Things have changed. 30 years is a long time. I don’t feel the need to stick by anyone unless I agree with what they’re saying,” he said in a new interview with Channel 4.

Delving deeper, Marr was asked if he disagreed with Morrissey’s recent comments, he said: “Course I disagree with what he’s saying. I don’t think that’s really a surprise that I would disagree with what Morrissey’s saying. I think everyone would expect that I disagree. Course I disagree.

“One of the problems with everybody have a voice now is that a lot of very negative, very scary people have a platform now, whereas they were hiding under rocks before,” he said.

“Because it was more difficult 30 years ago for reactionary views… they had to be very, very ballsy to go out on television or go out onto the streets cos they had to front up to what they were saying,” he continued. “Now it’s a lot easier for people with dodgy views and hateful views to express those views because they can hide behind anonymity. But also it’s so easy now to be unaccountable for anything, really.”

"I don't think that's really a surprise that I would disagree with what Morrissey's saying." Johnny Marr, former guitarist of The Smiths, says he doesn't "feel any need to stick by" his former bandmate after he supported a far-right party. pic.twitter.com/0ni0gXTZTr — Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) June 24, 2018

[MORE] – Morrissey discusses why can no longer listen to The Smiths.