Police issue statement as Nigel Farage calls for Zack Polanski to be arrested

Farage is calling for Zack Polanski's arrest

The controversy centres around an Instagram post from a Green Party event in Bristol, which Polanski had been tagged in as a collaborator. 

One of the images showed a man wearing a T-shirt featuring a guillotine alongside the lyrics "we're only making plans for Nigel" from the 1979 XTC song, a slogan widely interpreted as a reference to the Reform UK leader.

Although the post appeared on Polanski's Instagram profile, the Green Party said he had simply accepted an invitation to collaborate on it and had not created the original content.

A party spokesperson said the image was removed as soon as it was brought to his attention.

“Once this image was brought to his attention he immediately unshared the post. He unequivocally does not support this type of dangerous message.”

By the time it was taken down, however, Reform UK had already reported the matter to police.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed they were treating the complaint seriously and that enquiries are now underway.

A spokesperson said: “On Monday, 27 July, 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 enquiries into the matter.”

Farage also publicly criticised Polanski over the incident, arguing that the post crossed a line.

Writing on X, he said: “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.”