Zack Polanski falsely claimed to be British Red Cross spokesman

Zack Polanski is facing calls to “come clean” after he reportedly falsely claimed to be a spokesperson for the British Red Cross while crowdfunding his campaign to become deputy leader of the Green Party.

In posts on the Crowdfunder website archived by the Wayback Machine, he said: “As a spokesperson for the British Red Cross, I care deeply about an end to racist police practices and call for an end to the fake war on drugs. Black Lives Matter.”

It is understood Mr Polanski has previously supported the charity but has never been an official spokesman.

The Green Party leader first made this claim while campaigning to become the party’s deputy leader in 2022. Times on Tuesday.

Just one day before critical local elections, in which the Green Party is expected to make significant gains, the Labor Party accused Polanski of “not being honest with the public”.

A Labor Party spokesman said: “Having previously lied about his strange hypnotic past, Zack Polanski has been caught red-handed once again.

“This is not the first time the leader of the Green Party has been dishonest with the public.

“After claiming to have taken action, the council refuses to say whether its candidates were suspended for disgusting antisemitism.

“There are now serious question marks regarding the work and qualifications he boasts about, this is a matter of trust.

“Voters will rightly wonder whether Green Democrat-turned-Liberal Polanski believes anything, or if it’s all just for a cheap headline. Polanski must come out publicly.”

It comes as Mr Polanski is struggling with falling approval ratings after he shared a social media post criticizing police officers for kicking the suspect while arresting him in the Golders Green attack.

The Green leader, whose party has surged in the polls since taking office, saw his approval rating drop 14 points last week, according to More in Common polling.

The social media post was condemned by both politicians from other parties and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who said it was “inaccurate and misinformed”.

The Greens also faced accusations of antisemitism after Labor said it would publish a document revealing that 25 of the Green Party local election candidates held “disturbing views”.

The candidates are accused of “a range of infuriating antisemitism, dangerous conspiracy theories, and egregious comments supporting Hamas and Russia.”

Two identified men were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred against Jews, according to the Labor Party.

But a Green Party spokesman said: “We face more than 4,500 candidates in this local election and we are proud that the vast majority of them represent us.

“Where examples that do not align with the Green Party’s values ​​have been brought to our attention we are examining them and in some cases candidates have already been suspended.

“We are investing in strengthening our screening procedures to prevent unsuitable candidates from falling through the cracks.”

Mr Polanski, a Green Party London Assembly member, was ultimately successful in his campaign to become deputy leader in 2022, holding the post for almost three years before taking over the leadership last September.

A Green Party spokesman said in a statement: “Zack had been hosting various fundraising events for the British Red Cross and was actively speaking on stage about and supporting their work.”

A British Red Cross spokesman said: “We support people in crisis every day, no matter who they are or where they are.

“This is only possible thanks to the many people who raise funds for us and volunteer for us.

“We are a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization and do not engage in party-political activities or campaigns to protect our vital work.”