Banksy says Home Secretary James Cleverly's comments about his Glastonbury migrant boat stunt were 'a bit over the top'
Banksy responded to the home secretary's criticism of his migrant boat artwork at Glastonbury Festival by saying it was too extreme.
During various performances at the Worthy Farm festival last week, festival-goers passed around a small boat with mannequins wearing orange life jackets.
In an interview with Sky News earlier this week, Home Secretary James Cleverly stated that there are individuals who are making light of and cheering on illegal actions that result in loss of life.
People are losing their lives in the Mediterranean and the Channel. It's not a joke, it's cruel. Celebrating these tragedies is completely wrong.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak prioritized halting the arrival of boats as one of the party's key goals.
Mr. Cleverly expressed his disapproval by saying that he found it extremely unpleasant. He felt that making jokes and celebrating the deaths of children in the Channel due to the actions of criminals was completely unacceptable.
Making light of the situation, rejoicing in it at a music festival while there have been tragedies - like children losing their lives in the Channel - is not okay at all.
The boat showed up on Friday during Idles' performance at the Other Stage in Bristol. The band was playing their song Danny Nedelko, which starts with the words: "My blood brother is a migrant, a lovely migrant."
The Glastonbury Live page also shared a photo on Saturday of the artwork being set up for Little Simz' performance on the Pyramid Stage.
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In a post on Instagram this past Wednesday, Banksy mentioned that the home secretary described his Glastonbury boat as "vile and unacceptable," which seemed a bit extreme.
The artist commented: "I personally financed the actual boat, the MV Louise Michel, which saved 17 children who were alone in the central Mediterranean on Monday evening.
"The Italian authorities have put it in detention as a punishment, which I find cruel and unacceptable."
