Zack Polanski, the Green Party leader, has insisted that police "should not be above scrutiny" following backlash over his criticism of officers' actions during the Golders Green stabbing incident. Polanski apologized earlier for sharing a social media post that accused police of using excessive force against a suspect, but he reiterated his concerns in a Sunday interview.
Polanski told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg that he remains troubled by the officers' conduct, stating that police actions "must be proportionate no matter how brave." He had reposted a message on X alleging officers "repeatedly and violently kicked a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by Taser."
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, had publicly condemned Polanski's repost as "inaccurate and misinformed commentary." Polanski said he apologized because social media was not the appropriate venue to raise concerns, and he has requested a meeting with Sir Mark.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed, a Labour minister, called Polanski's apology hollow, saying he continues to "denigrate" police. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson echoed that sentiment, saying Polanski's latest comments prove he was not genuinely sorry.
The controversy stems from a stabbing in Golders Green, London, where two Jewish men, Shloime Rand and Moshe Shine, were seriously injured. Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, including an attack on Ishmail Hussein in Southwark. Police have declared the incident a terror attack.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for prosecuting those who chant "globalise the intifada" during protests, labelling it "extreme racism." Polanski disagreed, saying he values free speech and is "not interested in policing people's language," though he would discourage the phrase. He affirmed he is both pro-Palestinian and concerned about Jewish safety, seeing no contradiction.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander clarified the government is not seeking a protest ban but will take appropriate steps. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch advocated for a moratorium on pro-Palestinian marches, blaming them for normalizing antisemitism. She supported Starmer's stance on the intifada slogan but admitted she hadn't examined it closely.
Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart rejected banning marches, emphasizing proper policing instead. Plaid Cymru's Baroness Smith of Llanfaes agreed, noting illegal activities are a police matter. The SNP's Shirley-Anne Somerville stressed respecting protest rights but acknowledged existing laws on inciting hatred.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was scheduled to appear on the program but withdrew.