A COUNCIL leader has branded threats sent to staff at a town club as "despicable".

Eastleigh Borough Council leader, Cllr Keith House spoke out after abuse was sent to staff at The Concorde Club after it announced that it is cancelling Andrew Lawrence’s appearance in January.

This came after the comedian directed racist abuse at the England football team after Sunday’s EURO 2020 final.

Following this, club staff were subjected to abuse “of the most evil kind” after receiving a string of threatening emails following the announcement.

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In the message staff were told they would be “assaulted randomly”, “grabbed and stabbed” and that family members would be targeted.

Councillor House said: "Let’s hope Hampshire Constabulary track this one down. Contact the police if you know who was responsible.”

Police have confirmed that they received reports of “malicious communications and threats to kill” being made towards staff members.

A police spokesperson 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.”

Following the abuse, a spokesperson for the club wrote: “Sometimes I despair at some people in the world and today is another day of this.

“Further to our difficulties yesterday with having to cancel a comedian date due to his tweets, our staff have now been subjected to threats of the most evil kind.

“It has left some of our staff shaken. We have notified the police and so hope that they will be able to trace this low life. I wasn’t sure whether to post this email but the pure hatred and disgusting nature of it told me to share it and to try and trace this animal.”