Zack Polanski has declined to offer an apology to Nigel Farage following his sharing of a controversial image featuring a guillotine on a T-shirt.
The leader of the Green Party explained that he had unintentionally posted the image on Instagram, showing a person wearing a shirt with the phrase “We’re only making plans for Nigel” alongside the guillotine image.
Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf strongly criticized Polanski, accusing him of encouraging violence, while Farage called for his arrest in response.
During an appearance on BBC Newsnight, Polanski stood by his decision not to apologize to Farage, stating that it was an inadvertent mistake. He emphasized the importance of condemning political violence and committed to improving his social media conduct.
Polanski reiterated that the post was the result of a collaboration with a photographer and was one of many images he had overlooked. He promptly removed the post upon realizing the content and expressed willingness to cooperate with the police if necessary.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were investigating the matter seriously, and a police spokesperson affirmed the importance of such inquiries.
Amidst the controversy, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden cautioned politicians about their online activities, emphasizing the need for caution, especially in light of recent events. McFadden highlighted the potential for mistakes and deferred to law enforcement for any required actions.
Polanski had previously apologized for hastily sharing a post critical of the police response to an incident earlier this year.