Superstar producer Calvin Harris has upbraided the Conservative Party for using his music as Theresa May’s conference entrance music, quipping he did not want to be associated with “such a sad event”.
The Prime Minister took to the stage in Manchester to Harris’s collaboration with Rihanna, This Is What You Came For, before her speech turned to disaster.
May was served a P45 by prankster Simon Brodkin, fell victim to a coughing fit, and stood against a backdrop of letters falling from the wall.
Hours later, the Scottish musician and DJ indicated he would not have agreed the coalition. He tweeted: “Conservative party conference playing my song was not approved - i do not support nor condone happy songs being played at such a sad event.”
The hitmaker followed this up with some unsolicited medical advice, adding: “Also cough plus grey complexion suggests liver cleanse needed-blood prob very dark -body trying to cleanse but lack of nutrients pls google”
Earlier, pop star Florence Welch told the Conservatives to stop using her music as well after her version of You Got The Love was played as May left the stage.
The lead singer of Florence And The Machine said she did not approve the use of the song and would not have permitted it if asked.
The song is a cover of a 1986 single by Candi Staton.
Welch tweeted: “Today’s use of ‘You’ve Got The Love’ at the Conservative party conference was not approved by us nor would it have been had they asked.
“If the Conservative party could refrain from using our music in future. x”
It is not the first time an artist has taken exception to their music being played in a political setting.
The use of Everybody’s Changing by Keane at the Conservative Party election manifesto launch in 2010 prompted a furious reaction from the band.
Drummer Richard Hughes tweeted: “Told the Tories played Keane at their manifesto launch. Am horrified. To be clear - we were not asked. I will not vote for them.”
The Labour Party faced similar criticism after playing rock band James’s song Sit Down at its 2008 conference.
Singer Tim Booth told the Independent: “We have always been supportive of the Labour Party, as well as Greenpeace, Amnesty and CND, but obviously the machinations of a desperate politician trying to restore unity by using our song is not something we are totally behind.”
He said that leader Gordon Brown was “missing the point” of the anthem, adding: “It’s about unity of people and spirit rather than healing the divisions of political parties.”
Primal Scream said they were “totally disgusted” amid reports then home secretary Mrs May had walked off stage to the band’s song Rocks at the 2011 conference.
In an angry statement the band said: “We would like to distance ourselves from this sick association.”
But the Conservatives later denied they had played the track, insisting Mrs May had exited to Bohemian Like You by the Dandy Warhols.