Yahoo News (LAUNCH) Tuesday August 31 2004

The troubled build-up to this month's Reggae In The Park has finally resulted in the cancellation of the festival, amid furious criticism from gay pressure groups.

The event, flagged-up as the biggest reggae festival in the UK for almost 20 years, was due to take place this weekend in Victoria Park in London.

However, organisers last week announced a change of venue to Wembley Arena, before yesterday's confirmation that due to "negative publicity", no suitable home could now be found.

In the aftermath of a recent bombardment of criticism of Dancehall artists such as Beanie Man, pressure groups moved to block the appearance of acts such as Sizzla and Vybz Kartel at Reggae In The Park.

Their anger has been founded on allegations of homophobia and suggestions of anti-gay violence in some lyrical content, however, Peter Tatchell of Outrage!, a leading voice in the protests, has denied they wanted to see the festival pulled.

He explained: "At no point did Outrage! call for Reggae In The Park to be cancelled, we are sorry the whole event has been axed".

A statement from the organisers of Reggae In The park reads: "Due to the recent negative publicity surrounding reggae music in the UK press, no alternative suitable venue could be found that was willing to take on the perceived security risk represented by Reggae In The Park.

"Therefore it is with sadness that the organisers have had to announce the cancellation of this event. The organisers plan to bring Reggae In The Park to London in 2005."