24 June 2011

Bono's Glasto Show To Face Tax Protest

An anti-tax evasion group has announced they will be staging an "unmissable" [sic] protest during U2's Glastonbury headline show on Friday night.

Campaigners with the UK group Art Uncut issued a statement this week claiming their demonstration was in response to new that the band's lead singer, Bono, had moved the band's tax affairs to Holland to avail of a cheaper rate.

A spokesman for the group said: "On Friday June 24 we hope to organise a mass demonstration at U2's headline gig at Glastonbury, to send a message to U2 that their approach to tax is not acceptable.

"This is not just about having a dig at Bono. It is crucial to get people thinking about the ethics of taxation, and the relationship between tax and development."

The group said they wanted to point out the hypocrisy of Bono's public campaigns targeting development issues.

"But tax issues are crucial to development," a spokesman said.

"Christian Aid estimates that developing countries lose $160bn annually, more than the global aid budget, thanks to unscrupulous multinational companies dodging tax."

"We hope to organise a mass demonstration at U2's headline gig at Glastonbury, to send a message to U2 that their approach to tax is not acceptable."

It is believed the Irish band's headline appearance on the Pyramid Stage will be upset by a giant inflatable let off by the group. Placards will also be held up declaring "Bono tax dodger" and "Bono pay up".

(DW)