The police in London have detained a man in his 50s on suspicion of “encouraging murder” in response to allegations that a Labour councillor threatened to “cut” the throats of far-right protestors. The allegations were made in response to the fact that the man had been detained.
A member of the Labour Party who had been suspended from their position was taken into custody after allegedly stating during a demonstration that Nazis should have their throats slashed.
A tweet from the Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest and shared the original footage showing Ricky Jones, a municipal councillor in Dartford, Kent, appearing to make the comments. Jones was arrested following the incident.
The police department issued the following statement: “A man in his 50s has been taken into custody at an address in south-east London.”
According to the Public Order Act, he was detained on suspicion of promoting murder as well as for an offense related to the act. Currently, he is being held at a police station located in south London.
In the video that was shared by the police, a man is heard saying to a gathering, “They are disgusting Nazi fascists, and we need to cut all of their throats and get rid of them all.”
Those who were protesting stood on the road behind him, holding signs that read, “Smash fascism and racism by any means necessary.” They stood with their feet pressed against the pavement.
The comments are in reference to those who have participated in violent disorder and riots in towns across the country. These riots have resulted in the destruction of a mosque in Southport and the storming of hotels that house asylum seekers.
Labour previously revealed that the party had suspended Jones as a result of the video and its content.
Due to the fact that he has had the whip removed from him, he will no longer be allowed to serve as a councillor for the Labour Party. Instead, he will serve as an independent councillor.
A spokesperson for the Labour Party stated, “This behavior is completely unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated as a result.”
“The councillor has been suspended from the party.”
In an effort to combat the violent disturbance that has resulted in more than 480 arrests, protesters gathered in Walthamstow, which is located in east London, on Wednesday. The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported that the number of arrests has increased to over 480.
Sir Mark Rowley, the chief of the Metropolitan Police, gave the following statement to the media after the anti-racism demonstration that took place in Walthamstow: “It went off very peacefully last night. In a couple of locations, we had some local criminals turn out and try and create a bit of antisocial behavior, and we arrested a few of them.”