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A councillor suspended by Labour has been arrested over a speech calling for the throats of ‘fascists’ to be cut.
Dartford councillor Ricky Jones has been suspended by the party over a video which shows him in the middle of a cheering crowd at a protest in Walthamstow, east London, organised to stop the far-right from targeting asylum centres and the offices of lawyers helping asylum seekers.
In the speech on Wednesday evening, he said: “We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them.”
He followed his speech with leading a chant of “free, free Palestine”.
The Metropolitan Police posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter, to which the original video was linked, and said: “Officers have arrested a man aged in his 50s at an address in south-east London.
“He was held on suspicion of encouraging murder and for an offence under the Public Order Act. He is in custody at a south London police station.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. The councillor has been suspended from the party.”
After the video emerged, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage took to Twitter claiming Mr Jones should be arrested.
Tagging in the Metropolitan Police, he said: “This man should be arrested. If not, we know there is two-tier policing.”
In a rare moment of unity across the Brexit divide, Mike Galsworthy, chair of the pro-EU European Movement, also called for the councillor to be arrested.
Also tagging in the Met, he tweeted: “This horrific man needs arresting, and all those visibly clapping here should have this video sent to their bosses and families.
“There’s no place for this murderous talk anywhere in our society.”
It also emerged that Jones is also an organiser for the union the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA).
A TSSA spokesperson said: “TSSA remains steadfast in supporting communities that peacefully stand against fascist aggression. We unequivocally do not condone any threats or acts of violence, as these actions are contrary to our values.”
