Polanski refuses to apologise to Farage over shared image

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has stated he made an “inadvertent mistake” by sharing a social media image but will not apologise to Nigel Farage. The image, shared on Instagram and later removed, showed a man in a black T-shirt with the text “We’re only making plans for Nigel” and a guillotine.

Reform UK reported Polanski to the police, with home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf accusing him of “inciting murder” and Farage calling for his arrest. The Metropolitan Police said they were “conducting inquiries” and take reports of this nature seriously.

Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Polanski said police had not contacted him, and he was “horrified” by the T-shirt’s “dangerous message”. He explained it was a collaboration from a photographer containing 20 images, and he did not look carefully enough. Once aware, he removed it immediately.

Polanski refused to apologise to Farage, stating the mistake was unintentional. He added: “If Nigel Farage wants to apologise for all the times that he’s put other people in danger, then I’ll be happy to make an apology.”

A Reform UK source said it was “truly astonishing and sickening” that Polanski would not apologise for inciting murder, and deemed him unfit to lead a national party.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden noted that all politicians should be careful about what they post, especially after the death of former MP Ann Widdecombe. He said people can make mistakes, and it was for the police to decide. He also recalled Polanski’s previous social media controversy in May, when he apologised for criticising police response to the Golders Green stabbings, saying he acted in haste.