The Green Party of England and Wales has returned a donation of £1,539.45 made by its leader, Zack Polanski, in September of the previous year. The donation was not returned until June 10, this year. Under UK electoral law, political parties are only permitted to accept financial contributions from individuals listed on the UK electoral register. Impermissible donations must be returned within 30 days of receipt.
Deputy Green Party leader Rachel Millward stated that Polanski was not on the electoral register due to security concerns. She indicated that he was in discussions with the police to find a way to register anonymously for protection. A spokesperson for the Green Party confirmed that the donation was made to the London Green Party and was returned to the donor once the issue was brought to the attention of the national party.
It is a common practice for Green Party candidates elected to the London Assembly to contribute a portion of their salaries to the party. The Electoral Commission noted that guidance clearly states the law requires donees to report and return impermissible donations within 30 days. If a party becomes aware that a donation it has accepted is impermissible after this period, it should act promptly to rectify the situation, returning the funds to the donor or the commission if returning to the donor is not possible. The commission is currently considering the matter under its regulatory remit but has not launched a formal investigation.
Previously, the Green Party confirmed that Polanski had not voted in local elections in London. The party's spokesperson attributed this to heightened intrusion and safety risks, noting that Polanski had been the target of antisemitic and homophobic abuse since assuming leadership, with two arrests made in connection with abuse directed at him. The spokesperson added that Polanski ultimately did not register to vote due to these security concerns and the added complexities of registering anonymously.