Hookworms frontman MJ responds after facing sexual and physical abuse allegations

The Leeds based band released their album 'Microshift' earlier this year

Hookworms singer MJ has responded after he was accused of sexual, emotional and physical abuse.

The singer – real name Matthew Johnson – has denied the allegations after the band posted their own statement on Twitter, which seemingly announced their split.

It comes after the claims were first posted online by Alanna McArdle, former Joanna Gruesome singer and MJ’s ex-partner yesterday (October 30). McArdle claims that she was contacted by an unnamed woman who shared details of the alleged abuse, who then asked her to make the public aware of MJ’s alleged actions.

“To be clear, I deny and always will deny the allegations that were posted yesterday”, Johnson wrote on Twitter.

“I understood that L and I were both unhappy with parts of our short relationship, but we had not been in contact for some time. She contacted me recently and during our exchanges (we did not meet), she asked me to characterise some of my actions towards her as abusive to assist her, she said, with her ongoing recovery from historic sexual abuse that occurred prior to us knowing each other. I regret now accepting any blame.”

He later added: “I have attempted in all of my work and private life to maintain good ethics. The image presented by Alanna’s statement yesterday is not one I recognise and and is untrue.”

Hookworms previously posted their own statement on Twitter, which announced that they can “no longer continue as a band.”

“We’re deeply shocked by the allegations that came to light yesterday regarding MJ and take them very seriously,” it reads. “As a result we have cancelled all upcoming Hookworms shows and can no longer continue as a band.

“There will be a full statement from MJ forthcoming but in the mean time we ask that you please try to be respectful of the fact that this is a matter for MJ as an individual, external to the band, and that other members of Hookworms, their collaborators, various agents and record labels had no prior knowledge of the allegation before it went public yesterday and we are still coming to terms with the news.”