Morning:
9°c
Anger as anti-gay reggae singer is granted UK visa
Amar Singh20.11.08
THE Home Secretary was criticised today for granting a visa to a controversial Jamaican reggae singer, allowing him to perform in London this weekend.
Jacqui Smith was accused by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell of “rewarding a maladjusted thug” after the Home Office gave a work permit to dancehall artist Bounty Killer (Rodney Pryce).
Tatchell has accused the singer of glorifying the killing of gay people and promoting gang culture.
Bounty Killer will play at the Stratford Rex on Saturday.
Among his song lyrics are the lines “bun a fire pon a puff and mister faggoty”, translated as “burn a fire on poofs and faggots,” and “you know we need no promo to rub out dem homo” meaning “you know we don't need prompting to kill a homosexual”.
The Standard revealed earlier this week that the Metropolitan Police had permitted the singer to perform on the condition that he does not do so “in a homophobic manner”. This has been condemned by gay rights groups.
Mr Tatchell of OutRage!, who is co-ordinator of the worldwide Stop Murder Music campaigns, said today: “Although inciting murder is a serious criminal offence, Jacqui Smith is giving Bounty Killer permission to perform. Bounty Killer was banned from Guyana earlier this year, but the British government says he is welcome to sing in the UK.
“This singer encourages and glorifies gang violence. At a time when so many young people have been murdered in gang-related gun and knife crime, it is reckless and obscene for the Home Secretary to give Bounty Killer a visa and work permit. Rewarding maladjusted thugs who incite violence sends the wrong signal.”
The Home Office declined to comment.
Reader views (7)
His music appeals to other types of people and I for one support him 100% with his music and his "opinions".
- Mike, gt guyana
It's his views on society, he hasn't done anything he's rapped; Bounty Killer is just expressing his opinions on this topic at hand.
- Emma, Manchester
A promotion for violence. I fail to understand the logic.
Ken Rogers. MA (criminology) former Metropolitan Police Officer.
- Ken Rogers, Wivenhoe, UK.
What type of ignorant message does that send out to people Jacqui Smith?
Stupid, stupid stupid decision. It tells me you and your department are not interested in protecting minorities unless they are black. You are a disgrace.
- Simon Caleb, London
Yes you know you can invite a so called artist to spew his demented hatred to impressionable young minds,but don't you dear join a political party we don't like.Phew lets get rid of this vile hypocritical government before thay do irreparable damage to the people of the UK.
- Kev, London
I dount it, Frank. The government of the Desert Island will refuse her a visa
- Mark, Bristol
Guess Jacqui's just waiting to get invited onto Desert Island disk to show us all how cool she is.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset
