Supreme are well known for their simplistic shoots with household names. Morrissey is well known for being anti-meat. A collaboration between the two seemed all fine–until he found out that the streetwear brand has collaborated with factions of the meat industry.

Wrapped up in October 2015, the rock legend says that the shoot was done before he knew about the brand’s sponsorship from White Castle, an American hamburger chain. Morrissey has been vegetarian since he was 11 years old, and confirmed his pledge to veganism in an interview last year with Larry King. You might not see the same culpable link to animal products that he sees in the clothing company, but you have to at least admire his dedication to the cause.

Check out the full statement from Morrissey below:

“I apologize enormously for the enfeebled photograph of me issued this week by Supreme. The shot was taken in October 2015. I considered the photograph to be fit only for a medical encyclopedia and I pleaded with Supreme not to use it. This was before I learned that Supreme were sponsored in part by the beef sandwich pharaoh known as White Castle. Supreme were issued with a legal caution not to use the photograph and their fee would be returned. Evidently Supreme have ignored my lawyer. No safety within the corridors of law. Ugh.

I offer excessive apologies for this association. Shame is indeed the name.”

You can read Supreme’s response here.

• Words: Emma Arnold