Zack Polanski under fresh scrutiny after claiming Golders Green suspect ‘was handcuffed’ when officers kicked knifeman's head

Zack Polanski is under fresh scrutiny after claiming Golders Green suspect "was handcuffed" when officers kicked the knifeman's head.

The Green Party leader made an inaccurate claim during a BBC interview about the arrest of the Golders Green suspect.

Mr Polanski said he had been "traumatised" by seeing someone "handcuffed and repeatedly kicked in the head" during the incident last Wednesday.

However, footage of the arrest shows the suspect's hands were not cuffed at the moment when he was kicked by officers who were trying to apprehend him as he continued to clutch the knife he had allegedly just stabbed two people with.

The Green leader said: "Two things can be true at the same time: officers are incredibly brave when they run towards scenes of crimes that most people, including myself, will want to run away from.

"At the same time, I think it is accurate, and that I was also traumatised by seeing someone handcuffed and repeatedly kicked in the head."

The incident in question took place in Golders Green, where the suspect had allegedly launched a stabbing attack, seriously injuring two Jewish men outside a restaurant.

The Metropolitan Police subsequently declared the incident terror-related and a suspect was charged with attempted murder.

Mr Polanski has already faced significant backlash after initially reposting a social media clip accusing officers of using excessive force during the arrest.

He later apologised for sharing the post, but then reignited the controversy by insisting police "should not be above scrutiny" and maintaining concerns about whether the force used had been proportionate.

Jonathan Hinder, a Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe told GB News yesterday that Mr Polanski was a "clueless luvvy" following his previous comments regarding the incident last week.

He said: "Police officers across the country will be dismayed that the Green Party are more concerned about the welfare of violent criminals than they are about the brave police officers who protect the public.

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"It is extremely worrying the leader of a national party is encouraging this anti-police sentiment, which only encourages those who would undermine and attack our police."

Labour MP David Taylor accused the Green leader of “spreading fake news” about officers who “stopped a terrorist in his tracks”.

He added: "Zack Polanski just can’t help himself.

“He’s spreading fake news about what actually happened. It’s about time he set the record straight."

Meanwhile, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp branded the Greens “dangerous and deluded”, and said the officers involved “deserve our full support”.

He said: “The attacker was still holding a knife and might even have had a bomb.

"The use of substantial force was completely justified.”

Mr Philp also blasted Mr Polanski’s “armchair policing views”, saying he “has no idea” about the danger officers faced during the fast-moving incident.

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