𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Lee Anderson has slammed Zack Polanski for his “sick” post that references Nigel Farage. The Green Party leader posted a collection of pictures on Instagram from a Green Party event on July 26.

One of the pictures shows a man wearing a T-shirt that reads “we’re only making plans for Nigel,” a lyric from XTC’s 1979 song Making Plans for Nigel, alongside a drawing of a guillotine.

A post on a website that appeared to sell the T-shirt for £20 stated: “Whether it’s a nod to old punk music or a sharper bit of political satire, this design is for those who prefer their statements with a side of mystery.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted a screenshot of the picture on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “This is what Zack Polanski has just posted on his Instagram. If I was to post anything as inciteful then I would expect to be arrested, and so should Polanski. “

In response, Reform UK’s Ashfield MP Lee Anderson said: “So the rainbow cap stands for diversity and hope. And the T-shirt stands for the killing of Nigel.

“I dislike and disagree with the politics of many people but I respect their right to hold their views. But, this type of behaviour is that of unhinged individuals. Sick people with sick minds. I wonder if the person in the picture will get time?”

The post is no longer on Polanski’s Instagram, with a Green Party spokesperson saying: “Once this image was brought to [Zack’s] attention, he immediately unshared the post. He unequivocally does not support this type of dangerous message.

“Zack condemns the image on the T-shirt. He was tagged in a post with 20 images and clicked accept without realising there was more to it than he had seen.

“The T-shirt is clearly in poor taste, especially at a time of heightened fears for the security of public figures, having experienced multiple threats himself. He and the Green Party call on everyone involved in public discourse to show kindness and not encourage more division.”

A photographer, @just.barold, claimed responsibility for the picture, saying it was “not (Polanski’s) fault” and that he would contact the police himself. They added: “This wasn’t intended to offend anyone and it’s clearly not intended as a serious threat to anyone’s safety whatsoever.

“This performative outrage is just that, and if people want to come and take it out on someone then take it out on the person who took the picture, and who then posted it.”

Reform UK has reported Polanski to the police and said it will also report him to the monitoring officer at the Greater London Assembly, where Polanski is an elected member.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan police said: “Earlier today, we received a third-party report relating to an image shared on social media. We take reports of this nature extremely seriously, and officers are conducting inquiries into the matter.”