A conservative MP has accused the BBC of over publicising U2 ahead of the release of their new album, 'No Line On The Horizon'.

Nigel Evans MP said the corporation, which is running a host of programmes featuring the band, was providing U2 with "the sort of publicity money can't buy".

"Why should licence fee-payers shoulder the cost of U2's publicity?" he told the Daily Mail.

U2 kicked off a week of appearances on the BBC yesterday (February 23rd) on BBC Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe's show.

And after appearing on BBC Radio 4's Front Row and BBC 2's The Culture Show tonight (February 24th), the band will appear again on BBC Radio 1 on Friday, as well as BBC Radio 2.

They are scheduled to round off their BBC promotional tour on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

Although the deal between the BBC and U2 doesn't include a financial fee, the broadcaster will be responsible for funding the shows.

On a BBC message board, one viewer wrote: "As a publicly funded broadcaster, why is the BBC plugging the new U2 album?"

But a BBC spokesperson defended the band's numerous appearances, insisting the broadcaster was simply catering for fans' demand.

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

(by Jason Gregory)