Banksy's Glastonbury Festival stunt accused of 'trivialising' crossings

Banksy's Glastonbury Festival stunt has been accused of "trivialising" small boat crossings in the channel. News of the stunt spread like wildfire after the illusive artist let loose an inflatable 'migrant' boat during a set by rock band IDLES.

The gig was already stirring up controversy as there were a series of political statements during the explosive Glastonbury performance - which also included leading the crowd in a mass chant of 'F*ck the King'. But it appears that Banksy's stunt was the icing on the controversy cake.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said the stunt, which saw a small boat filled with migrant dummies in orange life jackets hoisted into the crowd, was "trivialising" the serious issue.

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Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Cleverly said: "Small boats crossings are deadly and have cost the lives of too many people. Festival-goers cosplaying as migrants, and celebrating the actions of people smugglers, while they party is awful.

"Whatever your political views, this isn’t something we should trivialise."

The boat appeared while the Bristol rock band were performing Danny Nedelko, a 2018 release which begins with the lyrics: “My blood brother is an immigrant, a beautiful immigrant.”

According to The Guardian, the band said the demonstration was devised by Bristol artist Banksy and they were not aware it had happened until after the set had finished.

The Glastonbury Live account also posted an image on Saturday of the artwork returning for Little Simz’ Pyramid Stage slot.

Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden also hit out at the stunt, telling Times Radio: "I was really saddened by it, actually.

"If you look at what happens with men, women, children being shoved onto those dinghies – the criminal gangs only fill them half with petrol, so they run out halfway across the English Channel and start to sink, endangering people’s lives.

"I don’t think this is a sort of thing to joke around with at Glastonbury."

Representatives of Banksy have been contacted for comment.