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Polanski stands by concerns over police response to Golders Green attack
TL;DR
Zack Polanski continues to express concerns about the police response to the Golders Green attack, despite previously apologizing for a critical social media post. He believes public service workers should be scrutinized, while officials criticize his stance.
Key points
- Zack Polanski remains concerned about police actions in Golders Green attack
- He previously apologized for a hasty social media post
- Polanski believes public service workers should be scrutinized
- Communities Secretary criticized Polanski's stance
- Metropolitan Police Commissioner accused Polanski of spreading inaccuracies
Mentioned in this story
Zack PolanskiSteve ReedSir Mark RowleyGolders Green
Zack Polanski said he remains concerned over the actions of police officers who arrested the suspect in the Golders Green attack, after previously apologising for sharing a critical social media post.
The Green Party leader told the BBC everyone who works in public service "should not be above scrutiny" and action must be "proportionate no matter how brave".
Polanski apologised on Friday for "sharing a tweet in haste" after he reposted a message on X accusing officers of "repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by Taser".
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said it was "shameful" that Polanski was "still questioning the police's response".
His repost was criticised at the time by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who accused Polanski of amplifying "inaccurate and misinformed commentary" in a letter published by the force.
Pressed on whether he believed the police were heavy-handed, Polanski told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "I was very concerned by what I saw and I remain concerned."
The London Assembly member said he apologised because social media was "not the appropriate forum to have that concern", adding he believed the commissioner's open letter "also wasn't necessarily the appropriate forum".
Polanski said he has asked to speak with Sir Mark about the issue.
After the show was aired, Labour minister Reed said: "Polanski's apology clearly means nothing given he continues to denigrate the actions of our brave police officers."
The row came after two Jewish men, Shloime Rand and Moshe Shine, were stabbed in Golders Green, London, on Wednesday.
Essa Suleiman, 45, has been charged with three attempted murders.
He is also accused of attacking Ishmail Hussein, a man he had known for around 20 years, in Southwark, in London, on the same day.
The Golders Green victims have been discharged from hospital after sustaining serious injuries in the attack, which was declared a terror incident by police.
In response to the attack, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called for police to prosecute people chanting "globalise the intifada" during demonstrations, labelling it an example of "extreme racism".
Polanski said he did not agree with Sir Keir's view before saying he would "discourage" the use of the phrase but he is "not interested in trying to police people's language".
Q&A
What did Zack Polanski say about the Golders Green attack police response?
Zack Polanski expressed ongoing concerns regarding the police's actions during the arrest of the suspect in the Golders Green attack.
Why did Zack Polanski apologize regarding his social media post?
Polanski apologized for sharing a tweet that accused police officers of violently kicking a mentally ill man, which he later deemed hasty.
How did officials react to Polanski's comments on the police response?
Communities Secretary Steve Reed called Polanski's questioning of the police's response 'shameful,' while the Metropolitan Police Commissioner criticized him for spreading inaccurate commentary.
What did the Metropolitan Police Commissioner say about Polanski's tweet?
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley accused Polanski of amplifying 'inaccurate and misinformed commentary' in his social media post.
