Nigel Farage has reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the Metropolitan Police and the London Assembly over a social media post that depicted a guillotine with the phrase "We're only making plans for Nigel." Farage stated that the post, shared by Polanski to his 700,000 followers, is unacceptable, especially in light of the recent murder of his colleague Ann Widdecombe.
Farage argued that if he had shared a similar post threatening a political opponent, he would face arrest for incitement and public condemnation. He contrasted this with Polanski's actions, where the post was quietly removed without an apology or apparent repercussions.
"When it comes to political double standards and the two-tier policing of our public life, enough is enough," Farage wrote. He described the offending image, shared from a Green conference event, as including "hatred and violence against political opponents."
Farage referenced the recent killing of Ann Widdecombe, a party spokesperson, as a stark warning about the consequences of inciting hatred against politicians. He suggested that there have been attempts to downplay and divert attention from her murder, citing official warnings against speculating about the motive and an alleged fabricated right-wing terror threat. "Now, less than three weeks after Ann's murder, we have witnessed the grisly spectacle of a party leader posting about how funny it would be to guillotine the leader of the party she supported. Sorry but I'm not laughing," Farage stated.
Lord Walney, the government's former advisor on political violence, was quoted as saying that sharing material implying the assassination of another politician is "sickening and unacceptable at any time," and even more serious given the current environment. Farage highlighted that his party, Reform UK, recorded 1,577 threats against him between February and July 13, with 597 deemed explicit death threats. He detailed past incidents, including having objects thrown at him and his home being attacked, and noted that he has required personal security since 2013, funded privately after the Home Office reduced its support.
Farage also criticized Labour MP Kate Osborne for allegedly blaming Reform UK and GB News for an Islamist terrorist attack in Berlin. He stated that Osborne has not commented on Polanski's post. Farage committed to a future Reform UK government providing public protection for all MPs and political leaders who require it, including the leader of the Green Party.