Green party leader Zack Polanski has been embroiled in a charity scandal after it emerged he falsely claimed to be a spokesperson for the British Red Cross while campaigning for party leadership.
The charity has now confirmed that Polanski held no such role, with a statement released on social media stating that he was never a spokesperson for the organisation. This revelation has sparked widespread criticism of Polanski's actions, with many questioning the honesty and integrity of his leadership bid.
This is not the first time Polanski has been accused of making false claims. His personal website, which has since been taken down, featured a statement from 2020 in which he said he was 'really proud of the work we do' - a statement that implied he was involved with the charity in a more significant capacity than he actually was.
The National Council of Hypnotherapy has also confirmed that Polanski incorrectly stated he was a full member of the organisation. Polanski's leadership bid has been seen as a serious contender in the Green party, but these revelations may have significant implications for his campaign.
The British Red Cross has issued a statement distancing themselves from Polanski, saying that they 'do not condone' his actions and that 'the integrity of our organisation is paramount'. The organisation has also stated that it will be reviewing its procedures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
The Foreign Office has yet to comment on the situation, but UK nationals are advised to exercise caution when donating to charities and to thoroughly research the organisation before making any contributions.