Police ‘conducting inquiries’ into image after Reform report Zack Polanski
Police are “conducting an investigation” into an image shared on social media after Reform England reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski over a photo on Instagram.
The photo, which was not later shared on Polanski’s account, featured a man wearing a black T-shirt with the words “We are only making plans for Nigel” and a picture of a guillotine.
Sharing a screenshot of the image, Reform England leader Nigel Farage wrote on social media: “This is what Zack Polanski just shared on his Instagram.
“If I were to make such a provocative post, I would expect to be arrested, and so would Polanski.”
The Green Party said Mr Polanski “condemned the image on the T-shirt” and clicked accept to be tagged in a post containing 20 images “without realizing there was more to it than what he saw”.
Reform Britain’s home affairs spokeswoman, Zia Yusuf, said Mr Polanski had “incited murder” and added that it was “surprising” the photo was shared weeks after Ann Widdecombe’s death.
A man allegedly hit the Reform England spokesman and former Tory minister 21 times in the head with a hammer in a “planned and targeted” attack, prosecutors told a court last week.
A Green Party spokesman said: “Zack condemns the image on the T-shirt. He was tagged in a post containing 20 images and hit accept without realizing there was more to it than he saw.”
“The T-shirt is clearly in bad taste, especially at a time when fears are growing for the safety of public figures who themselves face multiple threats.
“He and the Green Party call on anyone taking part in public discourse to show civility and not encourage further division.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “Earlier today – Monday 27 July – we received a third-party report regarding an image shared on social media.
“We take such reports extremely seriously and officers are investigating the matter.”
Mr Yusuf, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman, wrote on social media: “Zack Polanski shared a photo of a man in a T-shirt calling for Nigel Farage to be beheaded to his 713,000 Instagram followers.
“Polanski encourages murder. It should be treated that way by the police.”
Making Plans For Nigel is a song by British rock band XTC, released as the lead single from their 1979 album Drums And Wires.
A website apparently selling the T-shirt for £20 said: “Who could Nigel be? So why the guillotine?”
“Whether it’s a nod to old punk music or a sharper political satire, this design is for those who prefer a mysterious side to their narrative.”
