Suspended Labour councillor denies inciting violent disorder

A former Labour councillor has denied encouraging violence while addressing a crowd during an anti-fascist protest in Walthamstow .

Ricky Jones, 57, allegedly committed the offence during a speech to a gathering, organised in response to the nationwide violent disorder, in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, on 7 August.

A video was shared on social media in which he appeared to call for far-right protesters’ throats to be “cut”. The suspended politician was charged by police with encouraging violent disorder two days later.

Jones, who was remanded in custody after his last court appearance, appeared on a videolink from HMP Wormwood Scrubs to Snaresbrook Crown Court. He pleaded not guilty.

During a previous hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram said: “It is alleged that using a microphone you addressed a crowd at an anti-fascist protest and, talking about others you described as ‘disgusting Nazi fascists’, you said ‘we need to cut their throats and get rid of them’.”

Defence barrister Hossein Zahir KC said Jones accepted the words had been spoken but denied knowing the offence of violent disorder would be committed.

District judge Oscar Del Fabbro ordered the defendant to produce a defence statement by October 25, and set a provisional trial date of January 20 next year at the same court.

Jones, who has been a councillor in Dartford , Kent , since 2019, was suspended by the Labour Party.

In reference to the video, a Labour spokesperson said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.”