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Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, has issued an apology after sharing a social media post that criticised police officers for their handling of the suspect’s arrest in the Golders Green incident. The post that Polanski reposted on X accused the officers of “repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by Taser.” Following widespread backlash, Polanski acknowledged his mistake, saying he had shared the tweet hastily and that commenting on police actions through social media was inappropriate.
The decision to share the post drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including Sir Keir Starmer, who described Polanski’s action as “disgraceful” during a BBC interview recorded before the apology. Starmer said he had personally met the officers involved and expressed understanding of the police’s response given the circumstances. He explained that officers, faced with a suspect on the ground who was carrying a rucksack, might reasonably fear that the individual intended to detonate an explosive, justifying their urgent actions to neutralise the threat.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also publicly criticised Polanski, accusing him of spreading “inaccurate and misinformed commentary” in a letter issued by the police force. Polanski responded by inviting Sir Mark to meet with him to talk over the police response and the issues raised. He stressed the importance of responsible leadership in de-escalating tensions, noting that while reflections on operational policing are necessary, social media is not the appropriate venue for such discussions. Sir Mark defended his decision to speak out, rejecting suggestions that his letter was a political intervention and affirming his responsibility to defend his officers against public criticism.
Footage released by the Metropolitan Police from officers’ body cameras showed them repeatedly ordering the suspect to “get down on the ground” before deploying a Taser and telling him to “drop the knife.” Additional videos circulated online appeared to show officers kicking the man in the head several times during the struggle to disarm him. The Independent Office for Police Conduct confirmed it had received a mandatory referral regarding injuries sustained by the suspect during the arrest. Within the Green Party, Polanski’s repost sparked disapproval from senior members, including Wales Green leader Anthony Slaughter, who called the action “inappropriate,” and deputy leader Rachel Millward, who praised the officers as “brave.” Concerns have been raised internally about the potential divisiveness of Polanski’s approach, with some sources warning it could damage the party’s broader appeal. The Metropolitan Police acknowledged receipt of Polanski’s letter and indicated a meeting would take place after upcoming elections
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