Reform UK has confirmed it is reporting Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski to the police following a controversial image shared on his Instagram account. The post, which has since been removed, featured a photograph of a man wearing a top that displayed the name 'Nigel' alongside a graphic of a guillotine. The incident has ignited a political row, with Reform UK alleging the content amounts to incitement.
The image was part of a series of pictures from a Green Party event, shared by Polanski on Sunday through a collaborative post with another account. Polanski, who has a significant social media following, included the photograph which showed a man in a t-shirt bearing the slogan 'We're only making plans for Nigel', accompanied by the contentious guillotine illustration.
Upon the image being brought to his attention, a Green Party spokesperson stated that Polanski "immediately unshared the post." The spokesperson further clarified that Polanski "unequivocally does not support this type of dangerous message," indicating a swift response once the nature of the content was realised.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage quickly condemned Polanski's actions on the social media platform X. Sharing a screenshot of the original post, Farage commented, "If I was to post anything as inciteful then I would expect to be arrested, and so should Polanski." This direct criticism underscores the gravity with which Reform UK views the sharing of the image.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's Home Affairs spokesperson, further amplified the party's stance, describing the image as "incitement to murder." The formal report to the police signifies a serious escalation of the matter, moving it from a political dispute to a potential legal investigation.
The incident highlights the increasing scrutiny political figures face over content shared on social media and the rapid spread of controversial imagery. It also brings into focus the responsibilities of public figures in curating their online presence and the potential legal ramifications of perceived incitement.