Bono to receive British knighthood for music, humanitarian work

national | arts and media | other press Wednesday December 27, 2006 12:31 by joeboy - James Brown Memorial Ceili Band

rock n roll royalty joins Sir Bob

Ruadhán Mac Cormaic

U2 singer Bono is to be awarded an honorary British knighthood for "his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work", the British embassy has announced.

Bono will receive the award from the British ambassador to Ireland, David Reddaway, in a ceremony in Dublin in the coming weeks. A spokesman for the singer said he was "very flattered" to receive the award, particularly if it opens doors for his campaigning work against poverty in Africa.

He will not be entitled to the title "Sir" as he is not a British national, but the British embassy said the agreement of the Irish Government was sought and granted for the award.

In an open letter to Bono, British prime minister Tony Blair said he was delighted that the award, which recognised an "outstanding contribution" to music and "remarkable humanitarian work", had been accepted.

"I'll leave it to others far more knowledgeable than me to talk about U2's music. All I'll say is that, along with millions of others right across the world, I am a huge fan. But I feel a little more qualified to talk about your personal commitment to tackling global poverty and, in particular, to Africa," he said.

"I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you. I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them. You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa."

Mr Blair also thanked Bono for the "invaluable role" he played in the run up to the Gleneagles G8 summit in July 2005, which focused, among other issues, on the lack of economic development in Africa.

In 2003 Bono was presented with the Légion d'honneur by the French government and in 2005 he was voted Time person of the year.

He follows in the footsteps of fellow Dubliner Bob Geldof, who received the award in 1986.