Laurence Fox shrugs off sinister ‘death threat’ as Twitter users call for police investigation

Twitter users have called for a police investigation after a man said he would “laugh and laugh” over the death of Laurence Fox.

The actor, whose inflammatory comments on BBC Question Time last week sparked an ongoing social media row on “white privilege”, posted a screenshot of the sinister message on Saturday.

The man, identified only as Chris L wrote: “You know what would be hilarious? If someone walked up to Laurence Fox and unloaded a couple shotgun shots into his face. Ending his racist, miserable existence.

“I’d just laugh and laugh…”

The Lewis star and father-of-three shared the threatening post, commenting simply: “I’m not sure Chris is a very nice man. “

His fans were quick to express their horror, with one writing “This Chris L should be arrested for this. Absolutely shocking thing to post."

Others tagged Met Police’s official Twitter page, with one writing: “Laurence that man's tweet is a death threat - please take this to the police. You need to report this not just to Twitter but to the police. @metpoliceuk.”

Scotland Yard told the Standard they had received no formal complaints over the incident.

The perceived threat came as the academic who was branded “racist” by Mr Fox during Thursday’s debate revealed she had suffered a stream of online abuse.

Mixed-race university lecturer Rachel Boyle said she had received a barrage of hate messages via Twitter and email, mainly from people who seem to hold alt right views.

But, she added, despite the hostility she stood by her comments and remained “proud” of them.

The fall-out came after Mr Fox refuted Ms Boyle’s claims that Meghan Markle had been victim of a racist media backlash.

The actor said such suggestions were getting “boring”, prompting Ms Boyle to brand him a “white privileged male”. He responded by calling her “racist.”

He has since launched a string of sarcastic and acerbic attacks on so-called “political correctness”, even giving his Twitter bio a sarcastic spin by calling himself “Wokey McWokeface.”

Speaking to Talk Radio on Monday, Mr Fox said he was not expecting people to “kick off” over his comments while criticising "wokeists" of hypocricy.

He told host Julia Hartley-Brewer: “The wokeists, I think, are fundamentally a racist bunch. They see colour everywhere.

“Identity politics is extremely racist as well.”

He said he often gets it “in the neck” for being a “posh boy actor” who is part of a famous acting dynasty, which includes his film star father James.

And while he doesn't mind people “taking a pop” at him, he added: “I just lose interest when someone says I want to unload both barrels of a shotgun in your face.”