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Rugby council pulls venue for Katie Hopkins stand-up show Rugby council pulls venue for Katie Hopkins stand-up show
(about 1 hour later)
Katie Hopkins posted on social media to say she would not accept being cancelledKatie Hopkins posted on social media to say she would not accept being cancelled
A Katie Hopkins' stand-up show has been cancelled over safety concerns, due to a planned protest set to take place outside the venue. A Katie Hopkins stand-up show has been cancelled over safety concerns, due to a planned protest set to take place outside the venue.
Rugby Borough Council in Warwickshire said it was cancelling Saturday's show by the political commentator and former Apprentice contestant under advice from police.Rugby Borough Council in Warwickshire said it was cancelling Saturday's show by the political commentator and former Apprentice contestant under advice from police.
A statement released on Tuesday said Benn Hall was a "family venue" and the council could not guarantee the safety of either ticket holders or protesters if the show went ahead.A statement released on Tuesday said Benn Hall was a "family venue" and the council could not guarantee the safety of either ticket holders or protesters if the show went ahead.
Hopkins posted on social media to say her team were not given a chance to provide a solution and "refuse to be cancelled", calling on other venues to pick up the booking.Hopkins posted on social media to say her team were not given a chance to provide a solution and "refuse to be cancelled", calling on other venues to pick up the booking.
The 50-year-old said the cancellation of the sold-out show would affect 480 ticket holders, in a 10-minute Instagram video.The 50-year-old said the cancellation of the sold-out show would affect 480 ticket holders, in a 10-minute Instagram video.
She told her followers: "We have not been given the opportunity to mitigate this.She told her followers: "We have not been given the opportunity to mitigate this.
"We can provide security. Any protest we have we can make sure they're well looked after on the other side of the road."We can provide security. Any protest we have we can make sure they're well looked after on the other side of the road.
"We've not been given an opportunity to discuss this and try and resolve it.""We've not been given an opportunity to discuss this and try and resolve it."
'Cannot guarantee safety''Cannot guarantee safety'
Rugby Borough Council said concerns were raised about the stand-up tour coming to the town and it made the decision after taking advice from Warwickshire Police.Rugby Borough Council said concerns were raised about the stand-up tour coming to the town and it made the decision after taking advice from Warwickshire Police.
A spokesperson said: "The Benn Hall is primarily a family venue with many community events and activities from musical shows to antiques fairs.A spokesperson said: "The Benn Hall is primarily a family venue with many community events and activities from musical shows to antiques fairs.
"We want to support all our communities and their interests with safe, fun activities that everyone can enjoy."We want to support all our communities and their interests with safe, fun activities that everyone can enjoy.
"We are aware of a planned protest on the evening of the performance with significant numbers of individuals and organisations indicating their intention to attend."We are aware of a planned protest on the evening of the performance with significant numbers of individuals and organisations indicating their intention to attend.
"Because we are responsible for event safety and cannot guarantee the safety of ticket holders or protesters, we have cancelled the booking."Because we are responsible for event safety and cannot guarantee the safety of ticket holders or protesters, we have cancelled the booking.
"We understand the depth of feeling this matter has invoked. We will review the Benn Hall booking policy and debate it at a forthcoming meeting of the council.""We understand the depth of feeling this matter has invoked. We will review the Benn Hall booking policy and debate it at a forthcoming meeting of the council."
Hopkins said: "We will not allow our audience to be cancelled on", as she put out a plea to bars and venues in Rugby to take on the booking.Hopkins said: "We will not allow our audience to be cancelled on", as she put out a plea to bars and venues in Rugby to take on the booking.
Ticket holders have been told to contact promoters for refunds. Hopkins said customers would get an email by close of play Tuesday.Ticket holders have been told to contact promoters for refunds. Hopkins said customers would get an email by close of play Tuesday.
She wrote on X: "Council CEO Dan Green intends to cancel the fully sold out Benn Hall without cause.She wrote on X: "Council CEO Dan Green intends to cancel the fully sold out Benn Hall without cause.
"We refuse to be cancelled. The show MUST go on.""We refuse to be cancelled. The show MUST go on."
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.