Pop singer Morrissey has called for kosher food to be banned.

The former Smiths icon – who is a militant vegan  - was initially asked in a newly published interview for his views on halal meat before turning to the topic of kashrut.

He said: “It, too, must be banned. I am not saying that stunned slaughter is acceptable, because it couldn’t ever be.

“If you use the term ‘humane slaughter’ then you might as well talk in terms of ‘humane rape’.

“People sound very stupid when they mention ‘humane slaughter’.”

In the interview, published on the Morrissey Central website, the singer expressed further hugely controversial views on religion and meat to interviewer John Riggers.

Discussing party political attitudes to the slaughter of animals, he said: “If you have any concern for animal welfare, for example, you cannot possibly vote for either Conservatives or Labour, because both parties support halal slaughter, which, as we all know, is evil.

“Furthermore, halal slaughter requires certification that can only be given by supporters of Isis, and yet in England we have halal meat served in hospitals and schools!”

When it was suggested that halal was done in the name of religion, Morrissey added: “Most murder is! But animals rights must come before religion.

“Religion must cease to be the ONLY word. I am not interested in what people did ten thousand years ago. I am concerned about what is happening today.”

Discussing allegations of racism that have dogged the latter part of his career, Morrissey said: “And as far as racism goes, the modern loony Left seem to forget that Hitler was Left wing! But of course, we are all called racist now, and the word is actually meaningless. It’s just a way of changing the subject.”

Morrissey included a song titled “Israel” on his most recent Low In High School album and has repeatedly played concerts in Tel Aviv earning himself a big following in the Jewish state.

His positive stance on Israel stretches back over a decade – he once appeared on stage in Tel Aviv draped in an Israeli flag.

In 2008 he ignored calls by BDS campaigners to pull out of a concert there and ended a show saying: “God bless Israel”. He also appeared in a video with the word “Israel” tattooed on his forearm in Hebrew.

In 2012 Morrissey was given a key to the city of Tel Aviv by Mayor Ron Huldai . "I have become a small face of Tel Aviv. I will be very happy to represent with integrity and loyalty,” the singer said.