http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment...86908-20997784/

 

U2 frontman Bono slated for 'war criminal' support by bandmate Larry Mullen Jr

Dec 27 2008

 

U2 singer Bono has been blasted for cosying up to "war criminal" politicians - by one of his bandmates.

 

The campaigning star was often seen with Tony Blair and George W Bush while urging action on helping the Third World.

 

But drummer and friend Larry Mullen Jnr said: "Tony Blair is a war criminal and I think he should be tried as a war criminal.

 

"Then I see Bono and him as pals and I'm going, 'I don't like that.'

 

"Do I think George Bush is a war criminal? Probably - but the difference between him and Tony Blair is that Blair is intelligent. So he has no excuse for what he did."

 

Mullen told Q magazine that Bono is "prepared to use his weight as a celebrity, at great cost to himself and his family, to help other people".

 

He added: "But as an outsider looking in, I cringe."

 

:o

http://news.q4music.com/2008/12/mullen_tak...e_at_bonos.html

 

U2 drummer Larry Mullen has slated the band’s frontman Bono for the company he keeps - in particular his fraternising with ex-PM Tony Blair.

 

The musician branded Blair a “war criminal” in an interview for the imminent edition of Q and said he finds Bono’s activities disquieting on a “regular basis”.

 

Although he says he admires his bandmate for his achievements on the world stage – which he says will be “his legacy”, as well as his his voice and lyrics he adds: “

 

My biggest problem really is sometimes the company that he keeps. And I struggle with that. Particularly the political people, less the financial people. Particularly Tony Blair – I mean, I think Tony Blair’s a war criminal. And I think he should be tried as a war criminal. And then I see Bono and him as pals, and I’m going: 'I don’t like that'.

 

He said Bono "would know how I feel about Tony Blair". Mullen said he understood why the singer had cosied up to President Bush. "George Bush has been very generous to his cause … the difference between him and Tony Blair is that Blair is intelligent. So he has no excuse for what he did. Whereas I think George Bush could find a few excuses for his behaviour.

 

Asked about his relationship with Bush in the forthcoming Q, Bono said: “It was embarrassing for the band. Edge always tells me, 'You’re an artist, remember that. You’re not a politician'. But if you’ve looked into the face of a mother whose daughter or son has died in their arms for no good reason, they don’t know or care who’s President of America. It’s something that once you’re a witness to, you can’t get it out of your head and so you don’t take $h!t on their behalf. "

 

You can read the full interview in the new edition of Q on December 31.