‘Cut all their throats...,’ UK councillor arrested after making threat at anti-violence rally

A Labour Party councillor has been arrested by the UK police after he called for far-right protesters’ throats to be cut. Councillor Ricky Jones was earlier suspended from the party after he was filmed making a provocative address in Walthamstow Wednesday (Aug 7). The Metropolitan police said a man in his 50s has been arrested under the Public Order Act.

“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,” the police force said on X.

Jones was addressing a crowd that had gathered to protest against ongoing racism and violence onUK streets over the past week.

In a video that went viral on social media, Jones appeared to be saying, “They are disgusting Nazi fascists and we need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.” As he spoke, protesters behind him waved placards reading: “Smash fascism and racism by any means necessary”.

Earlier, the Labour party said the behaviour shown by their councillor was “unacceptable” and he was “suspended” from the party.

“This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. The councillor has been suspended from the party,” a party spokesperson said.

His suspension means he won’t be able to sit as a Labour councillor.

Counter-protests have broken out across the UK after the country was rocked by violence at far-right rallies over the past week. A total of 480 arrests have been made in relation to the recent violence that erupted after the killing of three young girls in Southport. The riots were fuelled by false rumours that the attacker was a male Muslim and an immigrant.

(With inputs from agencies)