ELTON JOHN - ELTON JOHN: 'AMERICA NO LONGER THE LAND OF THE FREE'

British rocker SIR ELTON JOHN believes Americans have been manipulated so much since the 11 September (01) attacks, they no longer live in a free country.

The CANDLE IN THE WIND singer, who has a home in Atlanta, Georgia, admits the separation between Democrats and Republicans has saddened him a great deal, as have the terror alerts which have appeared on US TV since the devastating attacks.

He says, "The polarisation in this country worries me greatly. The atmosphere is so preposterous and sad. We were lied to, both in Britain and America.

"Here, a fear has been instilled in people since 9/11. When I see the orange alert on TV, I think, 'What's the point? Buy duct tape?'

"I love this country so much, but it isn't the land of the free anymore. It's certainly not the land of free speech."