Green Party of England and Wales leader Zack Polanski has declined multiple opportunities to apologize for re-posting an image featuring a guillotine with the slogan "we're only making plans for Nigel," directed at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Polanski described the re-post as an "inadvertent mistake" but stated he would not apologize, asserting that Farage had "amplified" the image in a "fundamentally dishonest way." The incident began Monday evening when Polanski shared a photo from a photographer's Instagram account as part of a collaboration. He later deleted the image.
Reform UK's home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, characterized the image as a "photo of man calling for the beheading of Nigel Farage," which he argued could constitute an "incitement to murder." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted a screenshot of the image on X, stating, "If I was to post anything as inciteful then I would expect to be arrested, and so should Polanski."
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Polanski explained his refusal to apologize, stating that a deliberate act would warrant one, but given it was a mistake, he emphasized the need to condemn political violence and commit to improving his social media practices. He suggested that an apology would allow Farage to claim correctness regarding incitement to murder, escalating the situation. Polanski added that if Farage were to apologize for times he had endangered others, he would be willing to reciprocate.
Polanski further elaborated that he did not notice the slogan on the t-shirt when he initially accepted the collaboration, as his focus was on the celebratory atmosphere of the event. He only observed the rainbow hat worn by the man in the photo while reviewing the series.
The Green Party leader expressed that he felt the situation was surreal and unlikely to warrant police contact, given his belief that he had done nothing wrong beyond a minor error. The Metropolitan Police confirmed no update on the complaint received.
Reform UK has formally asked the monitoring officer of the Greater London Authority, where Polanski serves as an elected member, to investigate a potential breach of the code of conduct. Keith Prince, a Reform London Assembly Member, dismissed Polanski's claim of unawareness as "risible."
A Reform UK source commented to BBC Newsnight, "It's truly astonishing and quite frankly sickening that Zack Polanski won't apologize for inciting murder. He admits it was wrong. He admits it's dangerous, but he still refuses to apologize. Mr Polanski is not fit to lead a national political party."
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, when asked about the controversy, stressed the "duty on all politicians to be careful about what they post," particularly in light of recent events.