JOHN Howard doesn’t know a lot about American rapper Snoop Dogg, but he knows enough to back the decision to refuse him an entry visa to Australia this weekend.

Speaking on Melbourne radio station 3AW yesterday, the Prime Minister said the reasons for banning Snoop Dogg from Australia were sound.

The singer and actor was due to perform and present an award at tomorrow’s MTV Music Video Awards in Sydney, but was refused a visa this week, following a string of convictions for firearms and drug offences in the US.

On those grounds, Snoop Dogg failed the character test that would have allowed him into Australia, Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews said on Thursday.

Mr Howard said yesterday “there are “certain judgments that are made on certain advice and I can’t go into it but the reasons for banning him are sound”. He added: “Judgments have got to be made about the, how shall I put it, the accumulated behaviour of people who seek to come to this country.”

International celebrities who would otherwise have been accompanying Snoop Dogg on his flight from Los Angeles to Sydney began arriving for the MTV event early yesterday.

First through the gates was Aussie-girl-made-good Sophie Monk, best known for her success with pop group Bardot. She now has a movie career in the US.

The star of the morning was Black Eyed Peas singer and now solo artist Fergie, who signed autographs while walking through the airport in high heels and tight aqua skinny jeans. Asked if she was happy to be in Australia she said: “Love it.”

TV presenter Darren McMullen said he was still hopeful Snoop Dogg would be given a visa. “It is possible, a slight chance, we remain positive,” he said. “Snoop is pretty gutted”.