U2 drummer Larry Mullen Jr. is speaking out in criticism of frontman Bono over his bandmate's relationship with politicians. Mullen says he is specifically distressed by the singer's relationship former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"My biggest problem really is sometimes the company that he keeps," Mullen says in the new issue of Q magazine. "And I struggle with that. Particularly the political people, less the financial people. Particularly Tony Blair -- I mean, I think Tony Blair's a war criminal. And I think he should be tried as a war criminal. And then I see Bono and him as pals, and I'm going, 'I don't like that.'

"I understand why people find it really offensive," Mullen added. "On the other hand, I think it has made people understand where Bono's coming from, in that he's prepared to use his weight as a celebrity, at great cost to himself and his family, to help other people. I don't think there's much of an upside for him and I don't think he chooses where he goes and who he meets. But as an outsider, looking in, I cringe."

While Mullen admits he admires his lifelong friend and bandmate for his accomplishments on the world stage -- saying that along with his voice and lyrics they will be "his legacy" -- the drummer says his opinions are no secret.

"[Bono] would know how I feel about Tony Blair," adds Mullen, who says he understood why the vocalist became friendly with President Bush. "George Bush has been very generous to his cause ... the difference between him and Tony Blair is that Blair is intelligent. So he has no excuse for what he did. Whereas I think George Bush could find a few excuses for his behavior."