Zack Polanski has apologised for reposting criticism of officers who arrested the Golders Green attack suspect, amid political and police backlash.
Zack Polanski has apologised for reposting criticism of Metropolitan Police officers involved in the arrest of the suspect in the Golders Green attack, saying he had shared the post too quickly and should not have used social media to comment on the police response.
The Green Party leader had reposted a message on X that accused officers of repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head after he had already been incapacitated by Taser. The post drew a growing backlash from political opponents, senior police leadership and figures within the Greens.
In a statement on Friday, Polanski apologised for “sharing a tweet in haste” and said police actions in emergency situations should be examined in the proper settings, not through social media. He said leaders had a responsibility to lower tensions “at a time of such tension”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, speaking in a BBC Radio 4 Today interview recorded before Polanski’s apology and due to be broadcast on Saturday, called the repost “disgraceful”. Sir Keir said he had met the officers involved and argued that, given the circumstances, it was understandable they might have believed they needed to disable the suspect quickly.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley also criticised Polanski, accusing him in a letter published by the force of amplifying “inaccurate and misinformed commentary”. Polanski said he had invited Sir Mark to meet him to discuss the police response and the wider issues raised in the commissioner’s letter.
The Met has released body-worn camera footage in which officers can be heard shouting at the suspect to get on the ground before he is Tasered and then to drop a knife. Earlier footage shared on social media appeared to show officers kicking the man during the struggle to remove the knife from him.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said on Thursday evening that it had received a mandatory referral from the Met relating to injuries reportedly sustained by the man arrested after the Golders Green attacks.
Polanski, a London Assembly member who became leader of the Green Party of England and Wales last September, also faced criticism from within his party. Anthony Slaughter, the leader of the Greens in Wales, said the repost appeared inappropriate, while deputy leader Rachel Millward praised the officers as brave and described the incident as beyond terrifying.
The Metropolitan Police said Friday it had received Polanski’s letter and would meet him after next week’s elections. Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with attempting to murder Shloime Rand, 34, and Moshe Shine, 76, in Golders Green, as well as attempting to murder Ishmail Hussein in Southwark earlier the same day and possessing a knife in a public place. He did not enter pleas in court, remains in custody and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on 15 May for a preliminary hearing.
Comments (0)