Rap star to leave UK after arrest

Snoop Dogg has a gig scheduled in South Africa on Saturday

Rapper Snoop Dogg has begun his journey to South Africa, two days after his arrest at London's Heathrow Airport.

He was released on bail on Thursday. After leaving his London hotel, he is expected to fly using a private jet.

He had spent Wednesday night in a cell after being held on suspicion of affray and violent disorder following a fracas that injured seven police officers.

He is expected to fly to South Africa but the delay meant he was forced to cancel a gig in Johannesburg.

The event had been set to take place as part of the country's Freedom Day celebrations.

Disturbance

He has two further gigs scheduled in South Africa - in Durban on Saturday and Cape Town on Monday.

The rapper signed autographs for fans as he left his London hotel en route to Durban.

And, when asked how his stay in London was, the star, who was surrounded by bodyguards, replied: "It was cool."

The star was driven away in one of two silver Mercedes people carriers to Luton airport where a private jet was said to be waiting.

Snoop Dogg, who has not been charged, refused to say whether he would return to London next month to answer police bail.

Five other US men who were arrested have also been bailed.

'Became abusive'

Police said 30 people were involved in a disturbance in a business lounge at Terminal 1 on Wednesday.

Seven police officers were left with minor injuries, including one who suffered a fractured hand.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "The party was told that they would not be permitted to board their flight and officers then attempted to direct the group to baggage reclaim.

"A number of the group became abusive and pushed officers."

A British Airways spokeswoman said: "Given the nature of the disturbance they have been banned from travelling with BA for the foreseeable future."

Snoop Dogg, real name Calvin Broadus, started his career in the early 1990s as a rapper and has since branched out into acting, starring in the remake of Starsky and Hutch.