20 Aug 2008

Festival pulled over Doherty ban

A music festival in Wiltshire has been cancelled after a court refused to allow Babyshambles to perform on stage.

Pete Doherty's group had been due to headline Moonfest, in Westbury, on Friday but police said organisers had not hired enough stewards.

Organiser John Green said he decided to cancel the entire weekend event "due to the ramifications presented to us by the actions of the police."

Pete Doherty's manager Andy Boyd said he was "livid" at the court's decision.

But Wiltshire Police said it obtained the ban because it was "seriously concerned for public safety".

Superintendent Paul Williams said: "The issue is not the act itself, it is the profile of fans that follow the act".

BBC NEWS

Glastonbury 2007