Police investigate social media image involving Green Party leader Zack Polanski
Police are “conducting inquiries” into an image shared on social media after Reform UK reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski over a picture on his Instagram, reports BritPanorama.
The image, which was later removed from Mr Polanski’s account, depicted a man wearing a black T-shirt that features the message “We’re only making plans for Nigel” alongside an image of a guillotine.
Following the sharing of a screenshot, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated on social media: “This is what Zack Polanski has just posted on his Instagram. If I was to post anything as inciteful then I would expect to be arrested, and so should Polanski.”
The Green Party responded by saying Mr Polanski “condemns the image on the T-shirt” and noted that he inadvertently accepted to be tagged in a post with 20 images without recognizing the content fully.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s spokesperson for home affairs, claimed that Mr Polanski was “inciting murder,” emphasizing the inappropriateness of sharing the image weeks after the death of Ann Widdecombe.
In an ongoing investigation, prosecutors recently revealed a court account of a separate incident where a man allegedly attacked the Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister 21 times with a hammer, describing it as a “planned and targeted” assault.
A Green Party spokesperson reiterated Mr Polanski’s condemnation of the shirt’s imagery and stated, “The T-shirt is clearly in poor taste, especially at a time of heightened fears for the security of public figures who have experienced multiple threats themselves.” They called for all involved in public discourse to foster kindness instead of division.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving a report on Monday regarding the shared image, commenting, “We take reports of this nature extremely seriously, and officers are conducting inquiries into the matter.”
Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf further alleged on social media that Mr Polanski’s post to his 713k Instagram followers suggested a call for the beheading of Nigel Farage, asserting, “Polanski is inciting murder. It must be treated as such by the police.”
The phrase “Making Plans For Nigel” refers to a song by the English rock band XTC, released in 1979 as the lead single from their album Drums And Wires, adding another layer to the controversy.
Interestingly, an online retail post promoting the controversial T-shirt priced at £20 pondered, “Who could Nigel be? And why the guillotine?” suggesting it could be a nod to punk music or a form of political satire.
