No action taken against Green Party leader over controversial post
COPS ruled no action will be taken against Green Party leader Zack Polanski over an Instagram post showing an activist wearing a T-shirt calling for Nigel Farage’s decapitation, reports BritPanorama.
Polanski shared the controversial post prior to its deletion, which featured a man in a black T-shirt emblazoned with a guillotine and the phrase, “We’re only making plans for Nigel.”
The Metropolitan Police stated their review determined the threshold for criminal action regarding the image being shared online had not been met. However, they decided to record a crime related to the wearing of the T-shirt itself.
The investigation has since been passed to Avon and Somerset Police, as the original event where the T-shirt was worn occurred in Bristol. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reported the post to police, accusing Polanski of incitement to murder.
After reviewing the case, the Met concluded that the sharing of the image online was unlikely to constitute a criminal offence. A spokesman for Reform UK criticized the decision, stating, “Once again we see that we are living in two-tier Britain.” Officers considered various telecommunications, public order, and incitement offences before reaching their conclusion.
Additionally, the image shared by Polanski was noted to be part of a post with 20 images, which he had not individually vetted prior to sharing. It was removed upon its discovery, and the Met reported it had been shared by approximately 130 other accounts across social media platforms.
The police described the inquiry into the incident as potentially disproportionate, as it seemed unlikely that any crime had been committed through the mere sharing of the image. A Metropolitan Police spokesman emphasized their commitment to the safety and security of public figures and acknowledged the growing threats against politicians.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Green Party asserted that Mr Polanski “unequivocally does not support this type of dangerous message,” reinforcing the party’s disapproval of the content.
The matter now rests with Avon and Somerset Police to decide if further actions will be taken concerning the wearing of the T-shirt.
This incident highlights the complex intersection of public expression, safety, and accountability in a politically charged environment, raising questions about the limits of free speech within democratic society.
