Snoop Dogg fights UK visa ban

Rapper Snoop Dogg could be heading back to Britain after winning the latest stage in a legal battle to get a visa ban lifted.

Snoop, whose real name is Cordozar Calvin Broadus, was turned down for a visa in March last year.

In 2006 the controversial rapper, along with five members of his crew, had been arrested after a mass brawl at Heathrow airport's British Airways VIP lounge.

He was told that his presence risked provoking violent crime and was not conducive to the public good.

But a recording of the 2006 incident, where chairs and bottles of drink were thrown in a clash with security staff, show that Snoop had at one point been playing with children.

Snoop, who later received a caution, had also co-operated with the Metropolitan Police and did not retaliate when pushed by an officer, according to a newspaper.

Immigration judge Nehar Bird found no evidence the rapper had started or been responsible for any public disorder in January.

Immigration judges turned down a Home Office appeal but the Government officials still have a week in which they could possibly launch another challenge.

Senior immigration judge George Warr ruled that evidence had not been overlooked and there had been no material error of law in the January hearing.

Snoop's lawyer, Phillip Trott, told a newspaper: "It has been an appalling waste of public money to pursue this man.

"It is outrageous that the Government is trying to exclude someone who is an innocent figure and has frequently spoken against gang culture and youths carrying guns."

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