Anti-Semitic Quenelle Comedian Dieudonné Allowed to Perform in Nantes

Controversial French comedian Dieudonné will be allowed to perform his show in Nantes, a French court has ruled.

The court overturned a previous circular, sent by the French government to local authorities across the country instructing them to keep Dieudonné off the stage.

The circular encouraged prefects in cities on Dieudonné's tour route to cancel his show citing security concerns.

A national ban on the show would breach freedom of speech principles set out by the European Convention on Human Rights.

Dieudonné's recent performance at a theatre he runs in Paris was hit by a bomb scare.

The court ruled that the show, entitled The Wall, is not regarded as having "an attack on human dignity as its main object", news agency AFP agency reported.

Local authorities in a number of cities including Metz, Orléans and Marseille said they were willing to cancel the show – a move backed by President Francois Hollande.

"No one should be able to use this show for provocation and to promote openly anti-Semitic ideas," Hollande said.

Convicted for hate speech against Jews

Dieudonné, whose full name is Dieudonné M'bala M'bala, has six convictions for hate against Jews and has to pay €65,000 (£53,000) in related fines.

Nevertheless he remains popular in France, especially among young people and migrant communities.

His trademark gesture, known as 'la quenelle' and described by his critics as an inverted Nazi salute, has been emulated by scores of people, including West Bromich Albion footballer Nicholas Anelka and the founder of France's far right National Front party, Jean-Marie Le Pen, and Nice's American football team Les Dauphins.

The son of a Cameroonian father and a Breton mother, Dieudonné denies being anti-Semitic.

He started off his career using comedy to fight racism by playing on discrimination against France's black population.

He claims his comedy is anti-establishment and hits out at the privileged and powerful, including Jews.