Zack Polanski has stood firm in his decision not to offer an apology to Nigel Farage regarding the controversial guillotine T-shirt image he shared.
The leader of the Green Party explained that the post was shared inadvertently on his Instagram account, displaying a man in a black T-shirt with the phrase “We’re only making plans for Nigel” alongside an image of a guillotine.
In response to this, Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf accused Polanski of “inciting murder,” prompting Nigel Farage to call for his arrest.
During his appearance on BBC Newsnight, Polanski stated that he would not be issuing an apology to Farage, emphasizing that it was an unintentional error. He expressed the importance of acknowledging the mistake, denouncing political violence, and committing to improved social media conduct.
Polanski also reiterated that the image was posted accidentally as part of a collaboration with a photographer, containing multiple images, and he did not scrutinize it closely before sharing. Once he became aware of the content, he promptly removed it from his profile.
Regarding police involvement, Polanski mentioned his willingness to cooperate if required, as the Metropolitan Police confirmed they were investigating the matter seriously.
In light of the incident, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden advised caution in social media posts, referencing the recent passing of former MP Ann Widdecombe. McFadden stressed that individuals can make mistakes, leaving any necessary actions to be determined by law enforcement.
Earlier this year, Polanski had previously apologized for hastily sharing a post criticizing the police response to the Golders Green stabbings.
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