The BBC is sending so many staff to cover the Glastonbury Festival it has admitted it is unable to confirm the total figure.
Heat Street understands that more than 250 employees will attend the four-day event next week to help provide TV and radio coverage. Some will have a backstage pass.
But when asked if this was accurate, a spokesman refused to answer, claiming final arrangements had not been made.
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The BBC sends scores of presenters, producers, runners and technicians – made up of freelancers and staff – to the festival at Worthy Farm near Pilton.
The scale of the event means it must be organised with military precision.
In 2010 the Office for National Statistics estimated that the BBC spent about £18,000 per hour broadcasting from Glastonbury.
Insiders have admitted that, for many, there is plenty of time to enjoy themselves thanks to what amounts to an all-expenses paid ticket to one of the most popular music festivals in the world.
Critics said it was implausible that the BBC would not know how many people it is sending and condemned the Corporation’s secrecy.
Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen told Heat Street: “This looks very like an attempt to conceal the truth to avoid negative headlines about how many staff are being paid to go on what for some of them is a fun weekend away courtesy of licence fee payers. This is further proof the BBC operates in a parallel universe.”
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Headline acts at the Somerset festival this year include Adele and Coldplay.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will also appear.
In previous years, BBC staff have certainly made the most of the occasion. In 2002 presenter Alan Yentob used BBC money to throw a lavish fancy dress party at his Somerset mansion during the Glastonbury weekend.
The BBC has promised to broadcast performances across BBC1, BBC2, BBC Three and BBC Four plus on several radio stations and online.
Among BBC presenters attending will be Chris Evans, Lauren Laverne, Jo Whiley and Mark Radcliffe.
A BBC spokesman said: “At this stage, we don’t have confirmed staff numbers for Glastonbury.
“We’re always extremely robust in our accreditation process and the numbers always reflect what is required to ensure the quality and range reaches the high standards expected of the BBC.”
