U2 Glastonbury Protest, Bono Hypocracy

Protesters are plotting disruption at U2’s long-awaited headline gig at Glastonbury tonight.




The Irish band is expected to face a visual protest from campaigners angry at the group’s alleged tax avoidance in Ireland.



With heavy rain forecast this afternoon, the 170,000-strong crowd will continue to party in a 900-acre mud bath as the main acts get under way. But Bono and his bandmates could have more than the quagmire to worry about.



Direct action group Art Uncut is planning to unfurl a giant inflatable before the BBC cameras as the “world’s biggest band” take to the Pyramid Stage.



Campaign member Anna Walker (32) said: “Everyone there will see it. If the BBC do not broadcast it, there is little doubt that it will have been an editorial decision.” Placards will also be held up declaring “Bono tax dodger” and “Bono pay up”.



Fellow campaigner Charlie Dewar said: “U2’s multimillion-euro tax dodge is depriving the Irish people at a time when they desperately need income to offset the Irish Government’s savage austerity programme.



“Tax nestling in the band’s bank account should be helping to keep open the hospitals, schools and libraries that are closing all over Ireland.



“Bono is well known for his anti-poverty campaigning but Art Uncut is accusing him of hypocrisy.”