Rap star Snoop Dogg has finally won back the right to visit the UK after being banned as a result of a 2006 brawl involving his entourage and security officers at Heathrow Airport in London, England. Seven officers were injured in the incident and Snoop and five of his crew were arrested.
Senior immigration judge George Warr officially lifted the ban yesterday, according to The Guardian. The decision was based on an earlier ruling that found that there was no evidence that Snoop has been responsible for the altercation.
The Fatherhood star has the constant presence of video cameras to thank for his vindication. A film of the incident shows Snoop entertaining young kids just before the fight broke out. It also shows that the rapper did not retaliate against a police officer, who is seen shoving the rapper twice in the footage. Police statements on record that confirm that Snoop was cooperative with authorities during the scuffle.
Another immigration judge, Nehar Bird decided in the earlier ruling that the brawl was "precipitated by decisions made by BA staff and the police."
"The appellant's behavior on the DVD did show him interacting with
the public," Bird said. "The children were laughing and generally
enjoying either dancing or singing or playing music." Judge Warr's decision upheld this position, though it's unclear why additional an ruling was necessary.
“Wednesday’s decision served as nothing more than a verification of why the case was an appalling waste of public money to pursue this man," Snoop‘s lawyer Phillip Trot told The Guardian. "It is outrageous that the government is trying to exclude someone who is an innocent figure and has frequently spoken against gang culture and youths carrying guns.”
