BOB GELDOF last night punctured the bubble of favourable publicity he earned for the Conservatives by agreeing to act as an adviser to them on global poverty.

In a text message to The Times he declared that he might spend as few as three hours talking to the Tories. The ex-Boomtown Rat wrote: “I will be an ad hoc, pro tem, unpaid consultant 4 about 3 hours next yr. Same as the govt, lib dems if they want it. Like we do 4 reps n dems in u.S. No diff, no big deal. I’m on hols. Go away. bg” The text message seems to reveal a frustration that, despite Mr Geldof refusing to join David Cameron’s latest policy commission and acting as an occasional adviser only, the Conservatives were able to reap a publicity whirlwind from the announcement.

Mr Geldof said that he was not taking sides against Tony Blair, with whom he will continue to work. He insisted that he was aware that he was “being used” but that it was a quid pro quo and he was “in no one’s pocket”.

Mr Geldof said: “I’m sure I am being used, as much as I’m being used by the Government. But that’s my job, to be used, so long as I can help steer the policy towards those who are dying. It doesn’t bother me that people say I am being used.”

He added that he was not interested in “narrow definitions of what politics are” and would remain non-partisan. He would still work with Mr Blair, Gordon Brown and Hilary Benn, the International Development Secretary.

Mr Geldof said: “I am not giving tacit approval. What I am trying to do is agreeing to help to formulate a policy that I would agree with.

“I am not party political. I am completely non-partisan, as are those dying of want. It doesn’t concern me what people think about me. It’s people dying of want in a world of surplus, which is intellectually absurd and morally repulsive.”

The Conservatives supported Mr Blair’s Commission for Africa, he said, adding that he “used to wander in and talk to Margaret Thatcher 20 years ago”.

He had also joined a seminar organised by Michael Howard, the former Tory leader, and spoken to David Davis, Mr Cameron’s main rival for the leadership, about the issue.

“If I can stick my tuppence-worth into them making new policy that will help them to push the Government further, then I’ll do it. That’s my job.”

Peter Lilley, head of Mr Cameron’s 18-month global poverty review, said he would meet Mr Geldof in the new year for advice on membership of the commission. Mr Lilley said: “He has access to more expertise than almost anybody else in the world. That’s why I am thrilled to have him as an adviser to this group.”

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