Green Party leader Zack Polanski has admitted to making an "inadvertent mistake" regarding a social media post but has refused to issue an apology to Nigel Farage.
Post details and police inquiry
The post, which Mr Polanski claims he "shared inadvertently" on Instagram before deleting it, depicted an individual in a black T-shirt bearing the slogan "We're only making plans for Nigel" alongside an illustration of a guillotine.
Reform UK reported Mr Polanski to police, with the party's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf alleging the Green leader was "inciting murder", while Nigel Farage called for his arrest.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed the force was "conducting inquiries" and took "reports of this nature extremely seriously".
Polanski's response
Speaking to BBC Newsnight on Tuesday evening, Mr Polanski revealed police had yet to contact him, stating he "didn't pay enough attention to the T-shirt" and felt "horrified" by its "dangerous message".
The Green Party leader explained: "This was not my post, it was a collaboration from a photographer. It had 20 images and I just didn't look carefully enough and I accepted it. As soon as I was aware of what happened, I unaccepted it and took it down."
He added: "I think it would be odd for the police to speak to me about that because I think it's quite obvious that I've not done anything wrong other than making an inadvertent mistake. That being said, if the police do want to talk to me, of course I'm very happy to co-operate."
Refusal to apologise
Mr Polanski stated he wouldn't be offering an apology to Mr Farage, explaining: "If I'd done it deliberately, I'd be apologising. But because this was a mistake, I think the important thing is that I point out it's a mistake, that I also make sure that I condemn political violence, and also crucially, I make a commitment to be better on my social media."
He continued: "If Nigel Farage wants to apologise for all the times that he's put other people in danger, then I'll be happy to make an apology."
Reactions and context
A Reform UK source informed BBC Newsnight: "It's truly astonishing and quite frankly sickening that Zack Polanski won't apologise for inciting murder. He admits it was wrong. He admits it's dangerous, but he still refuses to apologise. Mr Polanski is not fit to lead a national political party."
Writing in the Daily Mail, Mr Farage said the Green Party leader "must face the consequences of his appalling decisions". He wrote: "Political violence is real. It is serious. It needs dealing with."
When questioned about the controversy on Tuesday, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden emphasised there was "a duty on all politicians to be careful about what they post", particularly following the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe earlier this month. Mr McFadden informed Sky News that individuals could "make mistakes" and it remained for the police to determine whether any action was required. He noted: "It's not the first time Zack Polanski has done something like this."
Mr Polanski has faced previous criticism regarding his social media activity. In May, he issued an apology for circulating a post that criticised how police handled the Golders Green stabbings, acknowledging he had acted "in haste".
