Russell Brand: London riots are sad and frightening

The British comedian - who now lives in Los Angeles with his wife Katy Perry - is upset areas he has previously lived in London has been affected by the looting and violence in the last week and hopes his views do not irritate because he no longer lives in England.

He wrote on his website: "This week's riots are sad and frightening and if I have by virtue of my temporary displacement forgone the right to speak about the behaviour of my countrymen then this is gonna be irksome.

"I've lived in Dalston, Hackney, Elephant, Camden and Bethnal Green, I grew up around Dagenham and Romford and whilst I could never claim to be from the demographic most obviously affected I feel guilty that I'm not there now.

"I feel proud to be English, proud to be a Londoner (alright an Essex boy) never more so than since being in exile and I naturally begin to wonder what would make young people destroy their communities."

Although the 36-year-old star believes he does not know the answer to the problem - which was sparked by the killing of Mark Duggan by police on August 4 - because of his celebrity lifestyle, but he hopes people learn to deal with their problems spiritually.

He added: "I don't know enough about politics to ponder a solution and my hands are sticky with blood money from representing corporate interests through film, television and commercials, venerating, through my endorsements and celebrity, products and a lifestyle that contributes to the alienation of an increasingly dissatisfied underclass.

"But I know, as we all intuitively know, that the solution is all around us and it isn't political, it is spiritual. Ghandi said, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' "

source: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com