Bono says actions by ex-stylist were 'abuse of trust'

U2 frontman Bono has told the High Court that the band's former stylist Lola Cashman acted in a "completely unprofessional" way by trying to sell his hat, trousers and other U2 memorabilia.

Ms Cashman's attempt to sell a Stetson hat, trousers and earrings, among other items belonging to the band, and her publication of a book containing private photos of U2, was "an abuse of trust" and "not kosher at all in her business", Bono said.

The singer was giving evidence yesterday during a appeal by Ms Cashman against a Circuit Court order to return items, including the hat and trousers worn by Bono, to the band.

Ms Cashman worked for the band in 1987 and accompanied them on their Joshua Tree tour. She claims the clothes and other memorabilia were gifts. The band disputed this and successfully sued her last year for recovery of the hat, trousers, earrings as well as a sweatshirt, photographs and a Christmas decoration.

In July last year the court ordered Ms Cashman to return the items within seven days. She subsequently launched an appeal.

Bono was composed throughout his evidence, but appeared upset when he thought counsel for Ms Cashman, John Rogers SC said he lived a very pathetic life. "I wouldn't have said it was pathetic," Bono said.

Mr Rogers explained that he had said the singer's life was "peripatetic" because it "all happens in a bit of a rush".

Dressed in a plain grey suit and wearing pink sunglasses, which he removed in the witness box, Bono said it was "reprehensible" that Ms Cashman would take advantage of her position by using "private" photos of the band to sell her book Inside the Zoo.

"She has sold her access to the band at any point she can. This book is the same thing."

Ms Cashman had been with the band for nine months, but had "misrepresented his position" by using photos from several periods to illustrate the book, he said.

"It is reprehensible, that is why I am here, she took advantage of the intimacy she had with the band for remuneration."

Bono denied that he had given Ms Cashman the fawn stetson hat with brown imitation leather strap on the last night of the Joshua Tree tour.

"I would remember giving a gift like this. It is a key piece of staging. I did not gift it to her."

The hat was "part of my idea of the way I wanted to present myself to the world in an ironic sense", he said.

He also denied her claims that he had given her three-quarter length trousers. The look of U2 had not changed at the end of the tour and the trousers were next worn on the band's tour of Australia.

"It has never happened before or since. It would be a strange thing to do. I did not gift it," he said.

Speaking in measured tones, the singer said he had "nothing personal against her" but was "very annoyed" by Ms Cashman's behaviour. "I'm very annoyed about the book, I'm very annoyed about her selling taken items, I'm very annoyed she might have more stuff, that is why I'm here."

Ms Cashman's actions were a "betrayal of small ordinary intimacies", Bono said.

He was particularly hurt because he had admired her professional skills and had defended her when her behaviour had annoyed members of the band's organisation.

"I feel like a fool, that's true."

In 2000, Ms Cashman put some U2 memorabilia, including a signed album cover, up for auction at Sotheby's.

She said there had been no objections until she placed the remaining items for sale at Christie's in 2002, when she received two letters from U2 lawyers seeking their return.

In evidence, Bono said Ms Cashman had brought defamation proceedings in Britain as a result of U2's solicitors' letter to Christie's.

It was incredible to suggest it was defamatory "trying to get your own stuff back", he said.

The case continues today.