A spokesman for a US-based charity co-founded by U2's lead singer Bono has vehemently denied claims the band are to play an election fund-raising concert for one of the United States most right-wing senators, Rick Santorum.
Portion of ticket to U2 concert with Senator Rick Santorum
The Pennsylvania Republican is running for re-election next year and his fundraising campaign have issued tickets to raise money at a concert the band will play at Wachovia Centre in Philadelphia next week.
The band are playing next Sunday and Monday as part of the their Vertigotour and Mr Santorum' supporters have booked an executive box at the venue for the first night and are selling tickets for €1,000.
The tickets feature a photograph of the band inviting buyers to a "U2 concert with US Sen Rick Santorum". The fundraiser is put together by Sean and Ana Wolfington of the Santorum 2006 campaign, according to the invitations.
Data (Debt Aids Trade Africa) a charity co-founded by Bono issued a statement today denying that U2 or Bono had any involvement in the fundraiser.
Its chief executive Jamie Drummond said: "It is not uncommon for politicians, from both parties, to organise events at all kinds of music concerts.
"If any such events take place at a U2 concert, it is without the involvement or knowledge of Data, U2 or Bono. U2 concerts are categorically not fundraisers for any politician - they are rock concerts for U2 fans."
Mr Santorum (47) is Republican Conference chairman, the party's third-ranking leadership position in the Senate where he has held a seat since first being elected in 1995.
He is a prominent anti-abortionist and has ushered legislation through congress that outlawed partial-birth abortion - a controversial procedure performed during or after the fifth month of a foetus's gestation.
He is known for his strong religious beliefs and has argued that American society is in moral decline, angering many people, including those within his own party, with his views on homosexuality. He is a strong supporter of President Bush within the Republican Party is considered a potential future presidential candidate.