Morrissey turns down NME apology

Singer Morrissey is heading to court in his legal battle with NME magazine after turning down the offer of an apology from its editors.

The former The Smiths frontman is suing the publication, alleging comments he made in a 2007 interview were "altered" to make him appear racist.

Last year, he suggested he would drop the case if editors said sorry, but now it's emerged a hearing has been scheduled at London's High Court in July after the rocker rejected the offer of an apology on the magazine's website.

In a statement posted on TrueToYou.net, a representative for Morrissey writes, "In light of the NME's refusal to apologize to Morrissey for fabricating parts of their 2007 interview with him in order to make Morrissey appear to be racist, the High Court hearing of Morrissey -vs- Conor McNicholas and IPC/NME now has a set date of July 16, 17, 18 and 19. Anyone wishing to offer support to Morrissey should make their presence known outside the High Court in London on these dates.

"These newly finalized dates clash with Morrissey concerts throughout Europe, and although no concerts will be cancelled, Morrissey will be required to fly in and fly out of London to attend each hearing on each day.

"The NME recently offered to apologize to Morrissey by offering space on nme.com, but not within the printed magazine. This offer was rejected as disproportionate to the damage done to Morrissey by the NME magazine itself."