Officials: Brand had plane trouble

ORILLIA, Ontario, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Government and casino officials say British comedian Russell Brand's tweets about being denied entry to Canada were not true.

Michael Patton, spokesman for Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. via e-mail Sunday that the Canada Border Services Agency did not bar Brand from crossing the U.S.-Canadian border.

"Apparently he had aircraft problems and was making a joke," Patton said.

Casino Rama in Orillia, Ontario, where Brand was to perform, said the comic was in California and his private jet was experiencing problems.

Brand had posted on Twitter Saturday that his show at Casino Rama had to be postponed, the CBC said.

"I'm sorry. I can't enter Canada. We must abolish the borders between our nations AND our minds," Brand, 36, posted.

Earlier Saturday, Brand tweeted: "HELP! I'm gonna be late for Casino Rama show unless someone can force Canadian customs officials to let us land in Orillia!"

In May, the performer, last seen in the remake of "Arthur," was deported from Japan while visiting his wife and pop star Katy Perry because of prior convictions.

Brand, a heroin addict in recovery, has numerous arrests under his belt, including one for allegedly assaulting a photographer.