Rock and a hard place

British rock music is becoming a potent force in diplomacy. First Deep Purple performed for Russian presidential candidate Dmitry Medvedev at the Kremlin, now guitar legend Eric Clapton has been invited to play in North Korea, the London embassy has confirmed.

“It’s a good opportunity for the North Korean people to understand Western music better,” a diplomat told the BBC. The Slowhand has yet to say whether he will accept the invitation.