The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, has criticised Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski for sharing a social media post about the arrest of a terror suspect in Golders Green, warning it could have a 'chilling effect' on officers.
Police arrested a 45-year-old man after two Jewish people were stabbed in the north-west London suburb on Wednesday. Officers used a Taser to subdue the suspect, who is being treated as a terrorist. The Crown Prosecution Service is reviewing the case.
Polanski retweeted a post accusing officers of 'repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head' while he was incapacitated. In a letter, Sir Mark said the post was 'inaccurate and misinformed', adding: 'Without their efforts to stop him I dread to think what the outcome could have been.'
The Commissioner emphasised that London's Jewish communities are scared and expect protection. He called for political leaders to show solidarity, condemning antisemitic attacks and backing police actions.
A Green Party source said Polanski does not know the full picture and acknowledged it was a difficult situation, but added that more understanding of the response is needed. The party had earlier condemned the attack as an 'appalling act of antisemitic violence'.
