Green Party Co-Leader Zack Polanski Admits False Red Cross Spokesman Claim
Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski has admitted he was wrong to state he had been a spokesman for the British Red Cross. This acknowledgement follows a report by The Times, which detailed Polanski's false claims made in 2022 during his campaign for the party's deputy leadership.
Polanski clarified that he had previously hosted fundraisers for the charity but accepted his use of "the wrong word" when describing himself as a spokesman. He noted the Red Cross's neutrality, stating, "It's important though, and I accept this, that they don't support any political party and I've made sure that that's been taken down." The Times report indicated Polanski had made the claim on his personal website in 2020 and later on a crowdfunding page.
A British Red Cross spokesperson affirmed their position: "We are a neutral and impartial humanitarian organisation and to protect our vital work, we do not take part in party-political activity or campaigns."
Labour and Conservative figures criticised Polanski's conduct. A Labour spokesperson highlighted previous instances of alleged public misdirection, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Polanski as "a man who is in over his head."
Polanski attributed some media scrutiny to a perceived agenda from "owners of the right-wing media, multi-millionaires and billionaires" who he suggested were concerned about the Green Party's rise and potential tax increases.
The controversy surfaces as the Green Party anticipates gains in upcoming elections across Scotland, Wales, and England. The party has faced accusations regarding antisemitic comments made by some candidates, which Polanski called "unacceptable," promising a "standardised vetting process" and mandatory training to prevent future incidents.
Separately, Polanski apologised for sharing a social media post that inaccurately criticised the Metropolitan Police's handling of an attack in Golders Green. Met Police chief Mark Rowley accused Polanski of amplifying "inaccurate and misinformed commentary."
