Scotland Yard look at homophobic lyrics

Scotland Yard are conducting an investigation into suggestions that the lyrics of eight prominent reggae artists incite violence against gays and are therefore illegal.

The case was raised by gay rights group Outrage! last year but it was dismissed as the CPS could not see enough evidence to achieve prosecution so they did not pursue it. The matter has now been reopened to cover more of the alleged homophobes.

Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Bounty Killer are amongst the eight offenders whose lyrics are being scrutinised. Beenie Man has come under fire before for his allegedly homophobic lyrics and has apologised for any hurt he has caused, though it would possibly not be too cynical to say that this was for purely commercial reasons.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are awaiting a translation as to the exact content of the lyrics.

"We will be working with the CPS to determine whether any criminal offence has been committed."

David Allison, a spokesman for Outrage!, said: "Reggae is very popular to a wide cross section of people.

"We feel that some people will take these lyrics as an indication that it is fine to be violent towards gay people.

"It is illegal to incite hatred against a minority group - this must stop."