Rapper Snoop Dogg
has been banned from performing in the United Kingdom by Home Office Minister
John Reid and his visa to enter the country has been denied. Snoop
Dogg was scheduled to perform in front of more than 65,000 people at Wembley Arena
on Mar. 27, along side rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs on the Pass The Puff
European Tour.The
previous ban
on the rapper in the United Kingdom, after he and his 30-plusentourage became involved in a brawl in Heathrow Airport in Apr. of 2006, when
they were denied entry into British Airways’ First Class Lounge. Seven
officers were injured in the fracas, which also resulted in Snoop Dogg being banned
from flying with British Airways. Snoop was later issued a caution over the incident.
According
to reports, the rapper’s recent run-in’s with the law in the United States and
his recent detainment in Stockholm, Sweden have further complicated his situation
in the United Kingdom. "Snoop
and his team are mystified at the decision and are hoping that the British government
will reconsider this decision," said European tour representative Celena
Aponte in a statement. "He has asked how he can help rectify the situation
and would happily talk to and give assurances to the officials."Snoop
reportedly offered to make a donation to an anti-violence charity if the government
decided to let him play in the country, which has seen a surge in gun violence
over the past several years. Reps
for the tour said they were not sure if the concert would continue without Snoop.
The
rapper was also scheduled to pay in Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Nottingham.
Snoop
was arrested Nov. 2006 in the United States and was charged with possession of
a gun, cocaine and marijuana after leaving a performance on NBC’s The Tonight
Show. In
Oct. 2006, Snoop Dogg was arrested at the Bob Hope Airport when police found a
gun and marijuana in the rapper’s car. In
September 2006, the rapper was arrested for carrying a deadly weapon at John Wayne
Airport, when officials found a collapsible baton in his luggage at a security
check point.
