JOHN LENNON - LENNON 'CONSIDERED NATIONAL THREAT'

Late music legend JOHN LENNON was convinced the American government bugged his house phone because it considered him a national threat.

The former BEATLE, who famously accused the US government of spying on him on DICK CAVETT's TV chat show, believes he was a target because of his involvement in the peace movement during the Vietnam War.

In a 1975 interview with New York City-based Capital Radio which has only recently resurfaced, Lennon says, "I can't prove my phone was tapped. I just know there were a lot of repairs going on in the cellar.

"I know the difference between picking the phone up when it's working normally and picking it up and there being a lot of noises.

"I was paranoid at the time - who wouldn't be? Suddenly I realised this was serious; they were coming for me, harassing me. So I went on the Dick Cavett Show and I said it that night.

"I said it on the air and it went away the next day - nobody there. Now I think, 'Was I dreaming?' but my lawyer started to agree because his phones were also being tapped.

"As he's as straight as the next lawyer."