Alan McGee, manager of The Libertines, has issued an official statement on Pete Doherty’s situation and changes to the band’s immediate future, which includes the cancellation of festival dates.

McGee said, “We flew Peter to Thailand last night. To be honest his mum, Carlos (Barat) and myself can’t believe he did it but he is a man of many surprises. If he’s going to get clean permanently anywhere it’s in this place. We kept him at The Priory under a different name this last week to avoid people staring at his recovery but deep down we knew he wasn’t buying.

“We cleaned him up as best we could and he of his own accord agreed to go off to Thailand. What happens to the group in the long term, who knows as in any event the man we sent out there will come back a different man. He wanted to change and has done something about it. All we ask of you people is keep the faith in Peter Doherty and The Libertines. Carlos last night told me Peter’s health comes before the band and again you have to love the man left in the UK. The [tabloid press] will no doubt be all on our case today but to say we all jumped for joy last night when his escort texted me and said we are on the plane and all systems are go would be the understatement of this year. The man may be away for a month, he may even reject the west and not return.

“Who knows. All I hope for is he kills his demons and gets better and finds a happy life in The Libertines or in Thailand or wherever happiness lies for him. To be honest his health is the most important thing to everyone involved.”

This means that Libertines appearances at the Isle Of Wight Festival, Glastonbury and Meltdown are off but they remain hopeful that their T In The Park and Carling Weekend shows will still go ahead later this summer.

Carlos Barat told reporters, “We felt that we should not continue with these shows in order to show support for Peter whilst he is recuperating. It has obviously been a very painful period for the band and we wish Peter better more than anything. His health comes first.”

The cancellations do not affect drummer Gary Powell’s plans to appear with the New York Dolls at their two Meltdown dates at the Royal Festival Hall later this month.