A Kent MP has slammed a decision by the Video Appeals Committee to overturn a ban on the controversial video game Manhunt 2.

It’s the latest in a series of setbacks in Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier’s campaign to overhaul the process for deciding age certificates for films, DVDs and video games.

Manhunt 2, made by Rockstar Games, is set to be released later this year on an 18 certificate.

This is despite both the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) – which had banned the release – and the High Court advising against it.

Mr Brazier said: “This shows once again that the BBFC and its appeals system do not meet the concerns of the public.

“The public wants a significant tightening up in this vital area.”

He is keen to introduce a public appeals process to overturn decisions made by the BBFC. Earlier this month, he met with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and north Kent resident Giselle Pakeerah at Downing Street to discuss his ideas.

Mrs Pakeerah’s son was murdered in 2004 in Leicestershire after a violent attack by a teenager. She claimed the attacker had been influenced by scenes in the original version of Manhunt, but the link was dismissed in court.

Mr Brazier feels the time has come for action: “We need a consensus that videos and video games involving extreme violence are extremely anti-social.

“Watching these things happen does affect people’s behaviour.

“We’ve got to recognise that there’s a strong link between what people watch and what they do.”

Mr Brazier’s Private Member’s Bill to reform the BBFC and its appeals process was “talked out” on February 29.