A British women's rights group yesterday lost its legal battle to try to send former world boxing champion and convicted rapist Mike Tyson back to the United States.
Britain's High Court told the pressure group, Justice for Women, that the Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, had been entitled to consider the possible financial ruin of those connected with Tyson's fight against the British champion, Julius Francis, later this month when he decided to make an exception and allow Tyson into Britain.
"The fact is Mr Tyson is here, the fight is due to take place on Saturday week," Justice Sullivan said. "Bearing in mind the effect on the thousands who have bought tickets, it is inconceivable in my mind that the fight should be cancelled."
Earlier Mr Straw was accused of acting outside his own immigration rules. There was "a strongly arguable case" that the decision was fatally flawed because Mr Straw acted on economic - not compassionate - grounds, said Mr Nicholas Blake QC, appearing for Justice for Women. Tyson flew into Britain on Sunday amid tight security and controversy over the government's decision to allow him entry despite his criminal record. He has been allowed to enter Britain as long as he goes home after his fight on January 29th.
Normally anyone convicted of an offence which carries a sentence of 12 months or more in Britain is refused entry unless there are "strong compassionate reasons" for the trip. Tyson was convicted of rape in the United States in 1992 and sentenced to six years in jail. He then served another term for a "road rage" attack on two elderly motorists and was freed eight months ago. The boxer spent yesterday training and sightseeing around London.