Reform UK reports Green Party leader Zack Polanski to police over social media post

Reform UK has reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the Metropolitan Police after he shared an Instagram post that included an image of a man wearing a T-shirt featuring the name "Nigel" above a picture of a guillotine.

The image appeared among a collection of photographs from a Green Party event. Reform UK leader Nigel Faragecriticised the post, arguing that if he had shared similar content, he would expect police action. The party has also lodged a formal complaint with the Greater London Assembly's monitoring officer.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed they had received a third-party report relating to the social media image and said officers were carrying out enquiries.

A spokesperson for the Green Party said Polanski removed the post as soon as the image was brought to his attention. They explained that he had accepted a collaborative Instagram post without realising all of the images it contained and stressed that he "unequivocally does not support" the message shown on the T-shirt.

The party added that the image was in poor taste, particularly following recent concerns over the safety of public figures, and said Polanski condemns any content that could encourage violence or division.

Reform UK's Home Affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf described the image as deeply offensive and said the party believes it should be investigated as a potential incitement to violence. The BBC understands that, at this stage, Polanski has not been contacted by police.

The controversy comes just weeks after heightened debate over the security of politicians in the UK, following the murder of former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokesperson Ann Widdecombe earlier this month.

The Metropolitan Police said the matter remains under investigation and urged the public not to speculate while enquiries continue.