New attempt to ban Snoop UK visa

The British government has lodged a second appeal to stop US rapper Snoop Dogg from entering the country.

The UK Border Agency maintains "a material error in law" was made at the initial immigration hearing in January.

The Court of Appeal will now consider whether or not the matter should be heard again.

The star, real name Cordozar Calvin Broadus Jr, was barred from entering the UK after he was involved in a brawl at Heathrow Airport in April 2006.

"We maintain that the immigration judge in the initial hearing made a material error in law," a UK Border Agency spokesperson said.

'Risk to the public'

"There has been no change in the facts that led to Mr Broadus being denied a visa. We stand by that initial decision.

"We will continue to oppose the entry to the UK of individuals where we believe there may be a risk to the public."

The rapper had initially been denied a visa in March last year while on tour, but was given clearance to enter the country by an asylum immigration tribunal in January.

At the hearing, the immigration judge said he had found no evidence that Mr Broadus was responsible for any public disorder.

The UK Border Agency filed its first appeal to challenge the visa application in April, but a senior judge upheld the January decision.

In September 2007, the hip-hop star was refused entry into Australia for failing a character test and was unable to co-host the MTV Australian Video Music Awards.