Protest foiled at U2 Glasto debut

LAST year, a bad back spoiled Bono’s Glastonbury experience, forcing U2 to pull out of their long-awaited debut at the festival.

This year, a protest from campaigners angry at U2’s alleged “tax dodge” threatened to be a pain in the neck for the band.

Direct action group ArtUncut had promised a “visual spectacular” in front of 60,000 fans and the BBC’s live coverage over what they called U2’s tax avoidance.

“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,” said campaigner Charlie Dewar.

However, security guards intervened as the campaigners tried to release a 20ft balloon emblazoned with the message “U Pay Your Tax 2” and send it soaring over the crowd.

As many as 10 burly security guards wrestled campaigners to the ground and deflated the balloon.

However, there was no sign that the violent scenes were observed onstage as Bono chatted good-naturedly with the crowd.

“Thinking of moving more dough offshore,” he joked as U2 played a hits-laden set and the heavens opened.

Other highlights yesterday included Morrissey, Fleet Foxes and Radiohead.

Earlier at the festival yesterday, Manchester United and England footballer Wayne Rooney and his wife, Coleen, were in the spotlight as they watched blues legend BB King on the Pyramid Stage.

In pouring rain, Rooney was hiding his new hair transplant under a hood.

However, the couple were believed to be receiving VIP treatment after booking a top-of-the range motorhome, rather than camping in the mud like the festival’s other 170,000 revellers.

The festival site has been soaked by heavy downpours in recent days, but the weather is set to improve for the final two days of the festival.

Claire Austin, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, said the wet weather could dramatically improve over the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday should be largely dry, with temperatures possibly topping 25ºC on the last day.

British indie stars Coldplay headline tonight, with US pop diva Beyoncé closing the festival in style tomorrow.