Captain of Premiership Club QPR 'Joey Barton' mocks the late Gary Speed

Joey Barton was at the centre of a controversy over comments he made on Twitter about Gary Speed's death, describing suicide as a 'selfish' act. Despite sparking outcry from many other users on the social networking site, the QPR captain has refused to apologise for his 'insensitive' comments. Welsh football legend Gary Speed was tragically found hanged at his home on Sunday morning in what is thought could have been a suicide. Like countless others, Barton took to Twitter to speak of his shock at Speed's death and paid tribute to him. He posted: 'Just hearing about Gary Speed, to say am shocked is an understatement. 'My thoughts are with his family and friends. Really sad news.' However, his tributes were then swiftly followed - with astonishingly tactless timing - by his views on suicide The outspoken footballer added: 'Suicide is a mix of the most tragic, most selfish, most terrible (and I want to believe preventable) acts out there.' As Twitter users bombarded Barton in an online backlash, the star - unrepentant - branded his critics as having 'half a brain' instead of apologising for his offensive comments. He added: 'Feedback on here, small minority as usual strongly disagree with what I said. If they read carefully or had half a brain, they'd understand.'  Unrepentant: After his comments caused controversy, Barton then said: 'If they read carefully or had half a brain they'd understand'  Last night his comments were criticised by football fans and suicide counselling groups, with Malcolm Clarke - chairman of the Football Supporters Federation - telling the Daily Star: 'This is completely insensitive and inappropriate. 'It is disrespectful to Gary's family. we should be concentrating on the positive impact he made on the game at a time like this.' What's your view? Is anythin wrong with the statement?