London News

Police accused of hypocrisy as homophobic artist's gig gets the go-ahead

Thursday, 20th November 2008

Written by Francesca Cookney

The Metropolitan police face serious criticism after they gave permission for a gig by Jamaican reggae singer Bounty Killer to take place at the Stratford Rex this weekend.

His repertoire is made up of songs which promote homophobia and justify violence towards gay people. Lyrics include the lines "bun a fire pon a puff and mister fagoty" and "you know we need no promo to rub out dem homo" but despite this the Met have agreed to let the gig go ahead on the basis that the artist will not "perform the songs that may be considered as offensive in a homophobic manner".

But this is not good enough for many who accuse the police of hypocrisy. Peter Tatchell of gay rights organisation, OutRage! said, "They allow homophobic singers to perform in London but not racist ones. It's double standards". Indeed, police forces in both Bradford and Birmingham have refused to let the reggae star perform out of concern for community relations so why are the Met allowing it to go ahead?

"They are taking the side of a singer who has promoted and celebrated the murder of gay people, and who is defying the RCA," said Tatchell, referring to the Reggae Compassion Act, a contract preventing reggae artists from using homophobic lyrics.

But a spokesperson from the event's organisers denied this: "He performed two months ago at the Stratford Rex and we were assured by his agency that he had signed the RCA. We wouldn't have booked him otherwise".