Rapper Snoop Dogg is barred from Australia after failing 'character test'

The American rapper Snoop Dogg has been refused entry to Australia, where he was due to co-host the MTV Australian Video Music Awards on Sunday.

The Immigration Minister, Kevin Andrews, said: "He doesn't seem like the sort of bloke we want in this country."

Snoop Dogg, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, was forced to cancel a tour of Britain last month with a fellow rapper, Sean "Diddy" Combs, after the Home Office refused to grant him a visa. That decision followed a brawl at Heathrow in April last year that led to Snoop Dogg and five other men being arrested and spending a night in jail. The fight broke out after some members of his entourage were denied access to the British Airways first-class lounge.

Mr Andrews said the musician had failed pass the country's "character test", which takes into account criminal convictions. Snoop Dogg, who was supposed to host the awards with Nicole Richie, the Hollywood "It" girl, has 28 days to appeal.

Earlier this month in Los Angeles, he was given a three-year suspended sentence, placed on probation for five years and sentenced to 800 hours of community service after admitting gun and drug charges.

In 1990, Snoop Dogg was convicted of cocaine possession and charged with gun possession after being stopped by traffic police. In 1996, he was acquitted of murder after an alleged gang member was killed by gunfire from a car in which he was travelling.

When he visited Australia in February he overstayed his visa by two days and was given an official warning, .

Snoop Dogg, a former associate of the Crips, a notorious Los Angeles gang, built his early career on recordings that gave a gritty insight into gang life. Critics say his lyrics are racist and sexist.

A spokesman for MTV Australia said organisers hoped he would still be able to appear at the awards.