Robbie protests at EMI behaviour

Robbie Williams has gone on strike over the behaviour of his record label EMI.

Williams is the latest act to complain about the handling of the company, following complaints from Paul McCartney and Radiohead.

The singer's manager Tim Clark claimed new EMI boss Guy Hands purchased the company as a "vanity purchase" and that Williams may withhold his new album, which is due later this year.

Clark told The Times: "The question is, should Robbie deliver the new album he is due to release to EMI?

"We have to say the answer is no. We have no idea how EMI will market and promote the album. They do not have anyone in the digital sphere capable of doing the job required. All we know is they are going to decimate their staff."

Reports earlier this week revealed that Coldplay were also considering leaving the label after releasing their forthcoming fourth LP and a possible greatest hits album in 2009.