Banksy confirms Glastonbury Festival ‘migrant’ inflatable boat was his work

Banksy has confirmed that a small artwork crossing a boat at Glastonbury is his after criticism from senior Tory ministers. A small boat filled with migrant mannequins in orange life jackets was hoisted into the crowd gathered to see the Idles perform on the Other Stage at Worthy Farm on Friday night.

Rock band IDLES have already sparked controversy with a series of political statements during their explosive Glastonbury show – which also included leading the crowd in a mass chant of ‘F*ck the King’. Taking to the Other Stage, the Bristol band also branded Nigel Farage a ‘fascist’ in scenes which were broadcast live by the BBC on Friday night.

On Sunday, Banksy posted a video of the boat sailing through the crowd during the band’s set on his Instagram page. Earlier in the day, Home Secretary James Cleverly and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden called off the stunt.

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Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Cleverly said: “Small boat crossings are deadly and have cost too many lives.

“Festivals cosplaying as migrants and celebrating the actions of human traffickers while they party is appalling. Whatever your political views, this is not something we should take for granted.”

The boat appeared as the Bristol rock band played Danny Nedelko, a 2018 release that opens with the lyrics: “My blood brother is an immigrant, a beautiful immigrant.”

According to The Guardian, the band said the demo was designed by Bristol artist Banksy and they didn’t know it happened until after the set was over. The Glastonbury Live account also posted an image of the returning artwork for Little Simz’ Pyramid Stage slot on Saturday.

Mr Dowden also hit out at the stunt, telling Times Radio: “I was actually very saddened by it.

“If you look at what happens to the men, women, children who are pushed onto those boats – the criminal gangs only fill them half full of petrol, so they half run across the English Channel and start to sink, putting people’s lives at risk .

“I don’t think it’s the kind of thing to joke about at Glastonbury.”

Banksy’s representatives have been contacted for comment.