Police are determining if an online message allegedly threatening Premier Ewart Brown's life breaks any laws.

The Premier's press secretary Jamahl Simmons asked Police to investigate the alleged threat this week.

He said both the tone of popular online political forum Bermuda Is Another World (BIAW), and the anonymous post suggest "the potential for political violence".

The comments were directed at plans for a farewell gala for the Premier.

A July 13 post under the name 'Buddah Bunny' stated: "OK... point me to the grassy knoll then... actually that would be better now thinking about it... I'll actually have a better shot

[the word ‘shot’ was struck through with a line]

view, and no one will ever see me... and I can leave without a trace..."

Yesterday Police issued a statement saying an investigation had been launched.

"The first course of action will be to assess the threat then identify whether or not any criminal offences have occurred," a spokesperson said.

It has been suggested by other bloggers that the post on BIAW was a distasteful joke.

But Mr. Simmons said "the so-called joke... was no laughing matter".

He added: "While we encourage and support freedom of speech — including anonymous speech — comments alluding to violence and assassination must be taken seriously. Assassination is never a laughing matter."

Yesterday the BIAW poster declined to reveal his identity to this newspaper, but did say he was Bermudian.

Buddah Bunny added that he was aware comments and threats to his safety had been made on other websites as a result of what he wrote about Dr. Brown.

He told The Royal Gazette: "Buddha Bunny, the emperor of Rabbit Island, is not particularly concerned about alleged threats against him at this point, as he is sure that if such threats were indeed made, they were made in the heat of the moment, and he is sure that it is realised that he has neither the means nor the motivation to carry out any acts of violence.

"After all... rabbits are about love, not war!"

BIAW has approximately 180 registered members. Most assume pseudonyms. Yesterday, more than 80 additional guests looked at the website, www.bermudaisanotherworld.org.