Zack Polanski, co-leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, has apologised for sharing a social media post critical of police following the Golders Green stabbings. The apology came after Sir Mark Rowley, head of the Metropolitan Police, said the politician risked undermining public confidence in his officers.
Polanski had retweeted a post on X alleging that officers were “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head” while he was incapacitated by a stun gun. In a statement on Friday, Polanski said: “Everyone in leadership has a responsibility for lowering the temperature… and I apologise for sharing a tweet in haste.” He invited Rowley to meet to discuss the police response.
Rowley had written to Polanski describing the claim as “inaccurate and misinformed commentary”. He praised the officers’ actions as “nothing short of extraordinary”, noting they confronted a suspect believed to be a terrorist who might have had an explosive device in his rucksack.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking before the apology, called Polanski’s actions “disgraceful”, saying politicians should not wade into split-second police decisions. He added that Polanski was “not fit to lead any political party”.
The incident occurred on Wednesday in Golders Green, north-west London, where two Jewish people were stabbed. A suspect was detained by police, with footage showing officers kicking the man near his head. Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with attempted murder of three people in two knife attacks in London that day.
