Hampshire club receives second threatening message after comedian Andrew Lawrence's gig cancelled over racist tweets

A COMEDY club in Hampshire has received another threatening message after it cancelled a comedian’s gig over racist tweets, as police ramp up their investigation of the threats to kill staff members.
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The Concorde Club in Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh, received yesterday an email from someone calling themselves ‘Gordon’, who warned that fires will be started on the premises and staff will be targeted with ‘a hammer in the back of the head’.

The email referenced the club cancelling an upcoming gig by comedian Andrew Lawrence, who has had a series of shows across the country pulled over racist tweets targeting players in the England squad.

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Now a second email from ‘Gordon’ was sent to the Eastleigh club this morning, with the message containing a link that appears to depict a hammer smashing into a block of ice, according to Jamies Mathieson, the club’s general manager.

The Concorde Club in Eastleigh. Picture: Google MapsThe Concorde Club in Eastleigh. Picture: Google Maps
The Concorde Club in Eastleigh. Picture: Google Maps
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He said: ‘We have just had another email from ‘Gordon’. There’s a link that looks like it’s a video of a hammer coming down on something, judging by the URL. We haven’t clicked on the link. We haven’t replied to anything.

‘We have just had the police release a statement saying they have got their IT guys on it, seeing if they can track him down.’

A police investigation into the ‘malicious communications and threats to kill’ is in its early stages, according to a spokesman from Hampshire Constabulary.

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He said: ‘The investigation is in the early stages and as such police enquiries are ongoing at this time.

‘Police have also provided appropriate safeguarding advice to the organisation and its staff members.’

Staff at the club are being told to be extra cautious and all upcoming shows are set to go ahead, according to Jamie.

He said: ‘We are telling our staff to be extra vigilant and not go out into the car park on their own.

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‘It’s probably just someone in a flat somewhere on a keyboard scaring people for the hell of it. But it is concerning.

‘Everything is still going ahead. We have fantastic support from our members and followers, saying they will still be coming out to us.

‘We have had about 500 or 600 messages, all very supportive.’

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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