One of the UK's biggest reggae festivals has been cancelled after gay rights activists threatened to disrupt the event. The activists led by the group Outrage!, were unhappy about the inclusion of dancehall acts Sizzla and Vybz Kartel in the lineup for Reggae In The Park which was due to take place on September 5. The two dancehall artists are among a group of eight whose material is being investigated by the Crown Prosecution Service over claims that their lyrics incite violence against homosexuals. In an interview with the BBC, Vybz Kartel said he has apologised for his lyrics, and is now preaching a message of tolerance. "That's what we are doing, not just me Vybz Kartel alone, but all the artistes, we are taking that stance. We want to move on now," he said. Reggae in the Park was originally scheduled for Victoria Park in east London but due to the large crowds expected at the event, it was moved to the Wembley Arena but Wembley officials were not happy with the event taking place there. A statement from the organisers of Reggae In The Park said: "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." Under pressure Peter Tatchell of Outrage! said the organisation was delighted that Sizzla and Vybes Kartel will not be performing, but they were sorry that the whole event had been cancelled. This is another blow for dancehall artists who in recent weeks have been under pressure from gay rights campaigners in the UK and the US. Last week, Beenie Man was excluded from an MTV-hosted concert in Miami while in London, the organisers of the Music of Black Origin (MOBO) awards scheduled for September 30 released a statement saying they did not condone homophobic lyrics. This message was stressed this on the nomination forms for the awards, which are distributed to DJs, promoters and retailers. The organisers said: "People obviously did keep this in mind when voting, because the controversial Beenie Man didn't get the support he might have anticipated and as a result has not been nominated." SOURCE: BBCCARIBBEAN.COM