Anger as anti-gay reggae singer is granted UK visa

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".

Evening 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.