A Green Party figure has sparked controversy after sharing a social‑media post that included a guillotine‑themed t‑shirt, a design that some interpreted as a threat against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The image, posted by Zack Polanski on Instagram, showed a man wearing a shirt bearing a guillotine graphic and the caption “We’re only making plans for Nigel.” The picture was part of a collaborative campaign that Polanski accepted without reviewing all the content.
Reform UK responded by describing the post as a threat to Farage’s safety and reported the matter to the Metropolitan Police, who confirmed that no criminal investigation would be pursued.
During a televised interview, Polanski declined to issue an apology, stating that the sharing was an accidental oversight. He emphasized that he had not intended to incite violence and expressed a commitment to more careful use of social media.
Farage criticised the post as “fundamentally dishonest,” claiming the screenshot had been cropped to make it appear he had authored the content himself.
Polanski acknowledged responsibility for accepting the collaboration and urged a broader condemnation of political violence, while also suggesting that the police’s involvement could create a “dangerous spot” for him.
He further explained that a public apology might embolden Farage to repeat claims of incitement, potentially escalating the situation.
The original post attracted fewer than 1,000 likes but has since accumulated over three million views, illustrating the rapid spread of the image online.
Polanski’s remarks highlight the tension between social‑media practices and political accountability, as well as the heightened sensitivity to perceived threats in contemporary political discourse.
The incident underscores the need for public figures to verify content before sharing, particularly when it involves potentially incendiary imagery.
