The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that no further action will be taken against Green Party leader Zack Polanski after he shared an image on social media that was reported by Nigel Farage. The image depicted a man wearing a black T-shirt with a picture of a guillotine and the words: “We’re only making plans for Nigel.”
Investigation deemed disproportionate
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, the Met Police said that an extensive investigation was deemed to be disproportionate and not a reasonable use of police resources. The force added that a crime should be recorded in relation to the wearing of the T-shirt, and as that happened in Bristol, the case has been transferred to Avon and Somerset Police to consider what further action should follow.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reported Mr Polanski to the police on Monday after the post appeared on Instagram.
Review findings
Officers reviewed the reports and concluded: “It is unlikely that the sharing of the image online would constitute a criminal offence. Officers have considered telecommunications, public order and other offences, including incitement, in reaching this conclusion.” The image in question was the 18th in a post containing 20 images, and Mr Polanski stated publicly that he had not seen the specific image when he accepted the invitation to collaborate. Steps were taken to remove the post when the issue was raised. The post was shared by around 130 accounts, and the image was shared many more times on other platforms.
The Met Police noted: “We must not treat individuals differently solely because of their public profile, and therefore any investigation would need to have considered not just the actions of the individual named in the reports, but of all 130+ people and organisations. Given it is unlikely their actions would have ultimately constituted an offence, such an extensive investigation was deemed disproportionate and not a reasonable use of police resources.”
Response from Reform UK
A force spokesperson added that they understand the reaction to the image, particularly in the context of increasing threats towards politicians, and that they take the safety of public figures seriously. “Where we identify threats we take appropriate action and where there is evidence of offences we will investigate. … our review has concluded that on this occasion, the threshold is not met.”
A Reform UK spokesman criticised the decision, stating: “Once again we see that we are living in two-tier Britain.”
