Beenie Man, one of Jamaica's top reggae and dancehall stars, was apprehended by members of the Metropolitan Police yesterday as he arrived in the UK.
By Ben TownleyOfficers met the musician at Heathrow airport as part of their ongoing investigation into whether his lyrics are homophobic and incite anti-gay violent acts. This was sparked by complaints made last year at the Mobo awards, where Beenie Man was due to receive an award.
As a knock on effect, east London club venue Ocean announced the cancellation of THE STAR's concert last night, which was due to be the first in his UK tour.
?Due to concerns for public safety and following discussions with the Metropolitan Police, Ocean has cancelled this Thursday?s Beenie Man concert,? the club said in a statement last night.
Gay rights groups are claiming the police intervention and cancellation is a "victory" against homophobia.
?We hope this victory will result in other homophobic singers having their concerts cancelled. Once they start losing money they?ll soon drop their anti-gay lyrics?.
Tatchell had been at the centre of the original Mobo row, after accusing the awards organisers of endorsing anti-gay sentiments.
He says his group intends to make sure the UK is a "no-go area for entertainers who incite violence against gay people?.
"Many people blame singers like Beenie Man for stirring up homophobic hatred. This hatred has led to the murder of dozens of gay Jamaicans and to attacks on gay people in Britain?.
The news follows a vigil held last night for Jamaican gay activist Brian Williamson, who was murdered earlier this month in what many are seeing as an anti-gay attack.
The vigil, held in London and attended by black gay groups, Amnesty International and representatives of the London Mayor, intended to raise awareness of the issue of homophobia in Jamaica, and pressurise the country's government into decriminalizing homosexuality.
