The UK Doesn’t Want Chris Brown

Chris Brown may be putting in hundreds of hours of community labor to make amends for assaulting former girlfriend and fellow popstar Rihanna, but that doesn’t mean the United Kingdom has forgiven him.

The singer has been forced to postpone this month’s shows in the U.K. and Ireland because the British government refused to issue Brown a visa.

According to the BBC News, the British government’s Home Office released the following statement in regards to Brown’s tour:

“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.”

Photo: AP Photo

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Promoter SJM concerts released a statement of its own on Tuesday, simply saying the tour had been postponed “due to unforeseen circumstances.” The promoter added that there would “possibly [be] re-arranged dates.”

The tour was scheduled to begin Wednesday with a performance at O2 Academy Glasgow, followed by a Thursday gig at O2 Academy Birmingham and Friday show at Apollo Manchester. An additional UK date was set for Saturday at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo in London. According to the BBC News, a June 15 performance at Docklands in Cork, Ireland, “has been shelved too.”

Brown pleaded guilty last year to one count of felony assault against Rihanna. He was accused of punching Rihanna, biting her, putting her in a headlock and threatening to kill her during an argument while driving home from Clive Davis’ February 2009 pre-Grammy Awards party, according to detective’s notes from the scene of the assault.

He was sentenced to five years of probation and 180 days of community labor. He must also attend 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling.

Click here for the BBC News story.