Morrissey has called on the Queen to stop the British Army Guards wearing fur hats.

In a letter to the Times newspaper, the former Smiths star and vegetarian said the current regalia reflected “human spirit at its lowest”.

His comments follow a recent editorial from MP Ann Widdecombe, who also criticised the British Army Guards use of fur.

Morrissey wrote: “Yes, animal rights move different people differently, and there are even those who think that animals simply have no right to be, but there is no sanity in making life difficult on purpose for the Canadian brown bear, especially for Guards hats that look absurd in the first place, and which can easily be replaced by faux versions (thanks to the visionary Stella McCartney) with no death involved.”

Singling out the Queen, Morrissey said the responsibility rested with the British Monarch.

“The mere sight of each bearskin hat must surely jab at the Queen’s heart,” he said.

Morrissey, who has grown more outspoken about animal rights in recent years, signed the letter: “Morrissey, singer, Cheshire.”

(by Jason Gregory)