Zack Polanski publicly rebuked by Met Police chief for retweet criticising officers who arrested Golders Green terror suspect
Zack Polanski has been publicly rebuked by the head of the Metropolitan Police for endorsing a social media post accusing officers of being heavy-handed as they apprehended the Golders Green terror suspect.
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley lashed out at the Green leader for sharing an ‘inaccurate and misinformed’ tweet from ‘armchair critics’ of how police had responded to the carnage on the streets of North London.
Leftwinger Mr Polanski has faced criticism from across politics in the wake of the attack which left two Jews injured in the capital yesterday.
In a statement at the scene earlier today Sir Mark described the double attempted murder as a ‘horrendous act of violence’ and revealed the motive was anti-Semitism. He also said the suspect had a ‘history of serious violence and mental health issues’.
In response later reposted by the leader of the Greens, an online critic said: ‘So essentially his officers were repeatedly and violently kicking a mentally ill man in the head when he was already incapacitated by Taser’.
It led to accusations that Mr Polanski, who has previously said he would like to be the next prime minister, was ‘more concerned’ about the suspected terrorist’s wellbeing than those he is accused of stabbing in the street.
In a public letter released by Scotland Yard tonight, Sir Mark said: ‘Those officers are nothing short of extraordinary. They were on the scene within a few minutes, and their actions undoubtedly prevented further injury and saved lives.’
He added: ‘Apprehending violent and dangerous criminals is a full contact and messy task which may appear shocking to observers with little experience of policing in the real world.’
Zack Polanski has been publicly rebuked by the head of the Metropolitan Police over social media posts accusing his officers of being too heavy-handed
Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley lashed out at the Green leader for retweeting sharing an ‘inaccurate and misinformed’ tweet from ‘armchair critics’
Zack Polanski has retweeted a post suggesting hero policemen who disarmed the Golders Green terrorist were heavy handed
A Green Party spokesman said of the attack: ‘This was an appalling act of anti-Semitic violence. Jewish people deserve safety and belonging wherever they live and we stand in solidarity with the British Jewish community.
‘Our hearts go out to the victims and their loved ones and we pay tribute to the emergency services, including Hatzola ambulances, for their swift response’.
But the party leader’s retweet has led to widespread criticism.
Tory MP Neil O’Brien claimed: ‘As usual, the Greens’ sympathies are with the terrorist rather than the brave police officers stopping him’.
Labour’s Jonathan Hinder tweeted: ‘This is so telling. Polanski hates the brave police officers who stopped this. He’s more concerned about the anti-Semitic terrorist with a knife in his hand! Isn’t that right Zack Polanski?’
Home Office minister Mike Tapp said he was ‘disgusted’, adding that the ‘Green Party has hit a new low’.
Labour MP David Taylor added: ‘Zack Polanski’s sympathy for a marauding anti-Semitic terrorist rather than his victims shows why his Green Party is so dangerous.
‘How can anyone watch that video from Golders Green and not feel proud of the way those brave police officers wrestled with the attacker who would not let go of his knife?’
