The Green Party candidate for Hackney mayor is facing criticism after refusing to sign a letter praising the Metropolitan Police's response to antisemitic knife attacks in Golders Green.
Councillor Zoë Garbett, who co-leads the Hackney Green Party and sits on the London Assembly's police and crime committee, raised objections to the letter, citing video footage that appears to show officers kicking the attacker in the head after he was tasered. She also said the letter failed to mention arson and violent attacks on the Jewish community and the Met's proposed action on this.
Her objections meant the draft, which required unanimous committee agreement, could not be sent to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. Hackney Labour criticised her, saying it was a "slap in the face" to officers who acted quickly to save lives.
The Greens defended her, with a spokesperson saying she had proposed changes that were rejected by the chair. The spokesperson said her role as an Assembly Member is to question police conduct and ensure standards are met.
The controversy comes after Green Party leader Zack Polanski apologised for reposting a message accusing officers of kicking a mentally ill man. Sir Mark Rowley rebuked him, but Polanski said police should not be above scrutiny.
The alleged attacker, Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder over the stabbings in Golders Green and Southwark. He remains in custody ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey on May 15.
