Zack Polanski, the 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 Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warned that Polanski risked undermining public confidence in officers.
Polanski had retweeted a post alleging that officers were 'repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head' during the arrest of a suspect in the stabbings, which left two Jewish people injured. The footage showed officers appearing to kick the suspect near the head, but Polanski later said he shared the tweet 'in haste' and accepted that social media was not the appropriate forum for such discussions.
In a letter to Polanski, Sir Mark praised the officers' actions as 'nothing short of extraordinary' and described the criticism as 'inaccurate and misinformed commentary'. He emphasised that officers believed the suspect might have had an explosive device in his rucksack, requiring swift action to protect the public.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also condemned Polanski's actions, calling them 'disgraceful' and stating that he was 'not fit to lead any political party'. Starmer noted that police had to make split-second decisions in high-pressure situations.
Polanski has invited Sir Mark to meet and discuss the police response and wider issues. The suspect, Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with attempted murder in connection with the Golders Green attack and a separate incident in south London.
