The Rolling Stones at Twickenham

12.00.00am GMT Wed 4th Dec 2002

Reacting to the RFU's decision to host a Rolling Stones concert (subject to securing an entertainment licence from the council) Vincent Cable said: "The RFU won permission to hold three concerts a year over local and council objections so there is no longer a debate on the principle of concerts."

"The issue is how far the RFU will accommodate local concerns".

"Offering 1000 tickets to local people is a good move and will be popular with my generation in particular for whom the Rolling Stones were pop icons".

"But I do recall that when there was local resistance to concerts, going back to the abortive Pavarotti event, the emphasis was on classical concerts. Residents feared that pop concerts would follow. They have."