The owner of the Bronx gay club says a black tourist was refused admission over the weekend not because of his skin colour, but because he had "caused trouble" there before.

But Aridi Amipi, from Belgium, confirmed he had visited Bronx before, but said he had not caused trouble. This was "a lie" and he intended suing the bar.

Amipi has said he was turned away from the bar at the weekend without being given a reason, while his white friend from England was allowed in.

On Thursday, Bronx owner Bruno Bronn said he had initially thought Amipi had been turned away as he had been mistaken for someone else.

It had emerged from talking to the doorman and security guard who had been on duty, however, that the pair had been there before and had "caused a scene". They had also sworn at the doorman, he said.