Home Office bars singer on eve of concert tour

The US star, who was sentenced to six months community labour for assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna last February, was due to kick off his UK tour in Scotland tonight.

Brown, 21, has been refused permission on the grounds of being guilty of a serious criminal offence, the Home Office said.

Tour promoters SJM said the concerts had been "postponed" and that dates to see the Run It! and Kiss Kiss singer would be rescheduled.

The Home Office said in a statement: "We reserve the right to refuse entry to the UK to anyone guilty of a serious criminal offence. Public safety is one of our primary concerns.

"Each application to enter the UK is considered on its individual merits."

Brown was sentenced in August last year to five years probation and 180 days community labour, and told to attend a domestic violence programme.

He was also told to stay at least 100 yards from Rihanna for the next five years.

Brown submitted his visa application on 1 June and would have learnt yesterday that it had been refused.

An SJM spokesman said: "Ticket buyers should hold on to their tickets as there will be more news in the forthcoming days of possible rearranged dates." Brown was also due to perform in Birmingham, Manchester, London and Ireland