The Rolling Stones have canceled the British leg of their Bridges to Babylon tour, primarily, they say, because their performances in that country would have meant a $20 million tax bill.

The band, in Germany rehearsing for the re-start of their tour next Saturday in Nuremberg, issued a statement late Sunday that said the four shows in Britain, originally scheduled for August of 1998, would be postponed until June of 1999. It cited several reasons including recovery time for Keith Richards rib injury and subsequent rescheduling problems; as well as insurance claims, and "tax issues."

According to the London Times, however, the "tax issues" were the deal breaker. The paper reports Mick Jagger as saying that by doing the UK shows, it would have meant the entire European tour would run at a loss.

The heart of the problem lies with the British government's recent move to close a tax loophole which came into effect in March. Prior to that, Brits who lived and worked out of the country and spent less than 62 days at home were exempt. The change meant that residents working in Britain at all over the course of the tax year must pay.

The Times reports that the Stone's lawyers protested by saying the band and their 270-member entourage had already embarked on their world tour when the change was announced. The group offered to play a major show for charity to maintain their exemption, but the offer was rejected.

Jagger apologized to fans and pointed out that while the band themselves may be millionaires, the crew members, who were also affected, were not. He added that the cancellation was a business decision, not a political one. "I'm not attacking the Labour Government. They have every right to change the tax laws. I don't have an axe to grind, I'm not a party political animal."