Manhunt 2 granted UK release

Rockstar’s Manhunt 2 has finally been granted a UK release after a

lengthy legal battle

with the British Board of Film Classification.

The Video Appeals Committee today announced that it had upheld the High Court decision to challenge the BBFC’s refusal to give the game UK classification.

The VAC has reconsidered the appeal in the light of the High Court’s verdict and decided, again by a majority of four to three, to allow the appeal on the basis that Manhunt 2 should be given an ‘18′ certificate.

The BBFC has now given up any hope of vetoing Manhunt 2’s release, stating that it ‘provides a realistic basis for a further challenge’.

Director of the BBFC David Cooke said:

As I have said previously, we never take rejection decisions lightly, and they always involve a complex balance of considerations. We twice rejected Manhunt 2, and then pursued a judicial review challenge, because we considered, after exceptionally thorough examination, that it posed a real potential harm risk.

However, the Video Appeals Committee has again exercised its independent scrutiny. It is now clear, in the light of this decision, and our legal advice, that we have no alternative but to issue an ‘18′ certificate to the game.”

The Manhunt 2 saga has been quite an epic one – brush up your knowledge with MCV’s handy round-up.