Update (30 July): Zac Polanski has since appeared on BBC Newsnight, where he acknowledged mistakes over the social media post, condemned political violence, but declined to apologise to Nigel Farage. Read our full follow-up coverage here.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are conducting enquiries after receiving a report relating to an image shared on social media by Green Party leader Zack Polanski.
The controversy centres on an Instagram post by Mr Polanski featuring a photograph of a man wearing a T-shirt depicting a guillotine alongside the words:
"We're only making plans for Nigel."
The slogan appears to reference Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, while also echoing the title of the 1979 XTC song Making Plans for Nigel by the band XTC.
The image prompted criticism from several Reform UK figures, who argued that it was inappropriate and should be investigated by police.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wrote on X:
"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."
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson also criticised the post, writing:
"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."
Reform UK Chairman Zia Yusuf also called for police action, writing:
"Zack Polanski has posted to his 713k Instagram followers a photo of a man in a T-shirt..."
Mr Yusuf said he believed the image amounted to an incitement to murder and urged the police to investigate.
Later on Monday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that a report had been received.
In a statement posted on X, the force said:
"Earlier today – 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."
The Metropolitan Police have not said that a criminal offence has been committed, and no arrests or charges have been announced.
At the time of publication, Mr Polanski had not publicly responded to the criticism from Reform UK figures or to the Metropolitan Police's statement.
The police enquiries remain ongoing.
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