The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it will take no further action against Green Party leader Zack Polanski after he shared a social media post depicting a man wearing a T-shirt with an image of a guillotine and the words «we’re only making plans for Nigel», a clear reference to the Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Officers reviewed the reports concerning the sharing of the image online and concluded that no further action was warranted. A police spokesperson said that an «extensive investigation was deemed to be disproportionate and not a reasonable use of police resources». The decision effectively closes the matter without any criminal proceedings.
The controversy began when Polanski accepted a request to collaborate with a photographer on Instagram. The collaboration involved a set of 20 images, the first of which showed Polanski himself, while the fifth featured the T-shirt bearing the guillotine design. Reform UK immediately condemned the post, alleging that it «incited murder» and demanded a police investigation.
In response to the backlash, Polanski described the incident as an «inadvertent mistake» during an interview with the BBC’s Newsnight programme. However, he repeatedly refused to apologise directly to Nigel Farage, insisting the post was not intended to cause harm or offence. His stance drew further criticism from political opponents, who argued that a public apology would have been appropriate given the sensitivity of the imagery.
The Metropolitan Police’s assessment that pursuing the case would be disproportionate has been welcomed by some free-speech advocates, who argued that the post, while potentially offensive, did not meet the threshold for a criminal threat. Others, however, have expressed disappointment, suggesting that the decision could set a precedent for what is considered acceptable political discourse on social media.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between political figures over the use of provocative imagery online. Farage and Reform UK have not publicly commented on the police decision, but the party previously called for Polanski to face legal consequences. The Green Party has stood by its leader, noting that he acknowledged the mistake and took steps to remove the post promptly.
This is not the first time a social media post has sparked a police investigation in the UK. In recent years, several high-profile figures have been reported to law enforcement over contentious online content, with police routinely having to balance freedom of expression against the need to prevent harassment and incitement. The outcome in Polanski’s case suggests that authorities are applying a high bar before proceeding with formal investigations.
For now, the Green Party leader appears to have avoided any legal repercussions, though the political fallout may continue. The incident serves as a reminder of the scrutiny public figures face when engaging with user-generated content on platforms like Instagram, where unintended associations can quickly escalate into national controversies.
