Singer Morrissey today accepted a public apology from The Word magazine over racism allegations, and vowed to continue his libel case against NME.

The former Smiths frontman is recording in Los Angeles and was not at London’s High Court to hear the settlement over a CD review, by journalist David Quantick, published by The Word last month.

His solicitor, John Reid, told Mr Justice Eady that the closing paragraph of the review of Morrissey's greatest hits album could have been construed to suggest that the singer was a racist, held racist opinions or that - as the child of migrant parents - was a hypocrite.

It also suggested that he had in the past paid only lip-service to anti-racism.

Mr Reid said that The Word’s publishers Development Hell and editor Mark Ellen never intended the article to have the suggested meanings and wished to make it "absolutely clear" that they dissociated themselves entirely from any such inferences.

Reid said that the defendants accepted that it would be "absurd" to accuse Morrissey of being a racist, espousing racist views, or of being a hypocrite.

They also accepted that he was well known as a keen supporter of anti-racist groups and wished to make it clear that they never intended the article to suggest that he was anything other than a sincere supporter of anti-racism initiatives.

Their solicitor, Caroline Kean, offered their "sincere apologies" to the singer.

Outside court, a statement was read on Morrissey’s behalf: "I am obviously delighted with this victory and the clearing of my name in public where it is loud and clear for all to hear."

The statement went on to point the finger at music magazine NME for sparking The Word’s allegations.

The singer became embroiled in a racism row last year after NME published an interview with Morrissey in which he discussed the UK’s immigration policy. After quoting the singer, NME concluded that his comments meant that while he was once the voice of a generation “he’s certainly not speaking for us now”.

Morrissey, who was born in Manchester but has spent the last decade living in America and Italy, said his comments had been taken out of context and took action against the magazine. The case is still pending.

Referring to the action, today’s statement said: "I will now continue to pursue my legal action against the NME and its editor until they do the same."

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