Tory MP attacks BBC U2 publicity

A Conservative MP has criticised the BBC for its programming ahead of the release of U2's new album No Line On The Horizon.

The BBC has trailed a week of shows featuring the band under the 'U2=BBC' banner, including an interview with Zane Lowe on Radio 1 and an appearance on The Culture Show.

MP Nigel Evans told the Daily Mail that the campaign was "the sort of publicity money can't buy".

He said: "Why should licence fee-payers shoulder the cost of U2's publicity?"

A BBC spokesman responded that all shows by the broadcaster have to conform to guidelines regarding undue prominence and justification.

He said: "We take extreme care in making fair decisions about how we make popular artists accessible to our audiences, especially when the timing is around the release of a new album/book/film.

"U2 are one of the world's most popular bands who have a diverse fanbase and we are reflecting this in our content."

U2 release No Line On The Horizon on March 2.