Glastonbury guards prick U2 tax protesters’ balloon

Glastonbury festival-goers watched in shock last night as campaigners protesting at the Irish rock band U2's 'tax exile' status were pinned up against a fence by security men. One of the campaigners said afterwards: "That was totally over the top. He threatened to hit me."

The protesters were from the direct action group Art Uncut. They had inflated a 20ft balloon - bearing the message 'U Pay Your Tax 2' - and were trying to release it above the 50,000-strong Pyramid Stage crowd when a dozen security guards pounced.

As U2 frontman Bono sang his first number, Even Better Than The Real Thing, some of the campaigners were wrestled to the ground while others were held up against the fence.

One eyewitness told the Daily Telegraph: "It was all a bit shocking. I love U2 but I think everyone should pay their taxes. The campaigners have a right to voice their opinion."

One of the Art Uncut team complained: "Political activism used to belong at Glastonbury. This was all going to be completely peaceful."

Art Uncut had been promising to stage a "spectacular" protest, as The First Post reported yesterday. They believe it is hypocritical of the band members - Bono, in particular, because of his much-publicised concerns about world poverty - to "dodge" paying taxes in Ireland when the country is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Whether U2 were aware of the balloon incident wasn't clear - but they certainly knew a protest was on the cards. It had been the subject of Twitter gossip throughout Friday, where the viral joke of the day was: "What's the difference between God & Bono?" Answer: "God won't be wandering around Glastonbury festival thinking he's Bono."

In the event, U2, making their Glastonbury debut, provided what the Irish Times called "a tight, muscular set". Crowd-pleasing numbers from across their long recording career included One, Beautiful Day, With or Without You and their 30-year-old debut single, Out of Control.

Among the crowd were Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney and his wife Coleen. They arrived by helicopter and, according to the Daily Mail, chose to splash out £6,000 on renting a Winnebago rather than pitching a tent in the mud. ·