Show stopped after gay protests

Previous performances by Banton have been cancelled

A concert by a Jamaican artist who released a homophobic song 14 years ago has been cancelled after protests.

The concert by Buju Banton, 32, was scheduled to take place at the Concorde 2, in Brighton's gay district, but was stopped by the venue.

His song, Boom Bye Bye, had lyrics referring to murdering "batty boys" - gay men - by shooting them in the head.

The venue said the show was axed after pressure from the council, police and members of the gay community.

Sussex police said officers were aware of anxiety in the community, but had no power to cancel the show.

"We supported the view that it would be desirable for the venue to take their own decision to cancel it," a spokesman said.

'Free-thinking venue'

The venue's website said: "Due to unprecedented pressure from the council, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community and the police, Concorde 2 have been left with no choice other than to cancel."

It said: "Concorde 2 are concerned that by staging this event they will have their licence revoked and could have their premises closed down.

"This follows a letter and subsequent phone calls from the council outlining their licensing objectives."

And it said the venue had believed the concert would not have caused a threat but wanted to remain "a free-thinking live music venue".

It added ticket holders were being offered a refund.

Brighton council said it had not tried to revoke the licence but asked the venue to "uphold the principles of the community safety plan" which would include "not inciting the murder of gay people".

Dorset Police said another reggae star, Beenie Man, had been banned from performing at Bournemouth International Centre on 29 July because of his homophobic lyrics, which call for hanging lesbians and killing gays.

Officers compiled a dossier of evidence against the Jamaican performer and submitted it to the borough council, which owns and runs the centre, which led to the show being banned.

Brighton and Bournemouth both have large gay communities.

Beenie Man's promoter was unavailable for comment.