Labour councillor in custody over ‘encouraging violence’ cost

A former Labour councillor has been remanded in custody after he was charged with encouraging violence while addressing a crowd during an anti-fascist protest.

Ricky Jones, 57, was wearing a Hugo Boss T-shirt as he entered no pleas during an appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

He was arrested on Thursday and charged with encouraging violent disorder after a video emerged in which he appeared to call for far-right protesters’ throats to be ‘cut’ during an east London demonstration the previous day.

Jones is alleged to have shouted into a microphone: ‘We need to cut their throats and get rid of them’ whilst making a throat cutting gesture.

Because he is yet to enter a plea, court proceedings are likely to take longer than some of those linked to protesters elsewhere in the UK – where speedy guilty pleas by those behind scenes of rioting have allowed judges to hand out quick sentences. 

Ricky Jones, pictured at the protest on Wednesday, has been charged after allegedly telling a crowd ‘we need to cut the throats’ of ‘disgusting nasty fascists’

Jones was arrested on Thursday and appeared in court on Friday charged with encouraging violence 

Jones, who sits on Dartford Borough Council, has since been suspended by the Labour Party following his alleged comments

Jones is thought to have attended a large-scale anti-racism protest in Walthamstow (pictured)

Jones, who has been suspended by Labour, is thought to have spoken during a gathering of thousands of people in Walthamstow on Wednesday.

Far-right thugs were believed to have plotted an attack on an immigration centre in the area, prompting huge crowds of counter-protesters to come out.

Addressing Jones in court, deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram said: ‘It is alleged that using a microphone you addressed a crowd at an anti-fascist protest.

‘Talking about others you described as “disgusting Nazi fascists”, you said “we need to cut their throats and get rid of them”.

‘The Crown says that those words were capable of encouraging others to commit acts of serious violence, and further that you believed that your words would encourage violence against others.’

Jones spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth. The proceedings were watched by members of his family.

Having entered no pleas, he was remanded in custody to next appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 6.

Ahead of the councillor’s appearance in court, Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for north London, reminded the public not to prejudice court proceedings.

Ms Narwal added: ‘We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

‘It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.’

The Wednesday night counter-protest was organised in response to rumours of a far-right gathering

The Metropolitan Police has sought to explain that, as Jones has not entered a plea, he must stand trial before he can be sentenced – and only then should he be found guilty or plead guilty

The Metropolitan Police has also clarified why Jones’ case has not immediately led to sentencing in a series of tweets on X, formerly Twitter.

As Jones has not entered a plea, he must face a full, fair criminal trial. The rioters who have been sentenced have pleaded guilty at their first court appearance – often allowing sentencing to take place there and then.

In other cases, alleged disruptors who have not entered a plea, or have pleaded not guilty, have also been remanded in custody to await trial.

The Met said: ‘A number of people seem confused as to why this matter hasn’t immediately progressed to sentencing when other prominent cases in recent days have.

‘In those cases, guilty pleas were entered at the first court appearance meaning sentencing could happen very quickly.

‘In this case, no plea was entered which means a trial will now take place. Time is needed to identify a date for the court to sit and to allow both the defence and prosecution to prepare for that trial. This is completely normal. 

‘The court determined that the defendant should be held on remand until 6 September when a further hearing will take place as part of the preparation for the trial.’

Jones, who has been a councillor in Dartford, Kent, since 2019, has already been suspended by the Labour Party.

In reference to the video, a Labour spokesperson said: ‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.’

Jones was remanded in custody to next appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 6.