Hot Press 1st March, 2000 Having seemingly kicked William Orbit into touch, Sinead O'Connor has begun collaborating on her new album with Wyclef Jean. According to a well-placed source, "Wyclef was recommended to Sinead by Bono, who had a blast doing the Net Aid single with him. They put a few bits and pieces down last month when she was in New York, and will probably be linking up again. How much of that makes it onto the finished record, I'm not sure, but they're both enjoying the exchange of ideas." Meanwhile, O'Connor has defended her decision to inform the Metropolitan Police about Shane MacGowan's alleged drug taking. "It wasn't about 'grassing Shane MacGowan up," she insists. "I went to the police out of concern for his life. In my opinion, Shane is dangerous. To himself and others. Kentish Town police are very compassionate, they don't brutalise people. I hoped through being arrested he would be forced into treatment. He has tried to stop on his own but cannot. He is incapable of functioning at any level if someone doesn't life him out of the hell he has himself locked up in." Jean Genius