Eminem rapped in Lords

Eminem is due to return to Britain next week

A member of the House of Lords has called on Home Secretary Jack Straw to bar controversial rap star Eminem from entering Britain again for inciting drug use in children.

Liberal Democrat Lord McNally said a clear message should be sent to the youth of Britain that drugs will not be tolerated.

Lord McNally said Eminem should be stopped from re-entering Britain for his appearance at the Brit Awards on Monday.

Speaking during a debate on drugs he said: "We are in a war with our own children in the front line.

Lord McNally wants Eminem barred from Britain

"No icons of the drug culture should cross the threshold of Number 10 or feature in the honours list."

Tapes of Eminem's first gig on his recent British tour were examined by police after reports he encouraged the crowd to take drugs.

He told the Manchester Evening News Arena audience: "My friend Xzibit gave me some Es and I say 'pop the pill'. I hope these Es are good."

Fake drugs

He later said he used chewing gum as a stage prop instead of real tablets.

Politicians in Canada failed in their bid to prevent the rapper crossing the border because of the nature of his lyrics.

Attorney-General Jim Flaherty examined the possibility of keeping the US star out of the Canadian province of Ontario under the country's anti-hate-crime laws but eventually had to allow him to perform.

A British Home Office spokesman said: "We can't comment on specific cases but all applications for entry will be considered under immigration laws."