A suspended Labour councillor has been found not guilty of encouraging violent disorder after allegedly calling for protesters’ throats to be cut during an anti-racism rally in the wake of the Southport murders.
Ricky Jones, 58, a former full-time official for the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA), was accused of making the remark during a speech to crowds following riots in the Merseyside town earlier this year.
The incident, which sparked political controversy, saw Jones suspended from the Labour Party pending investigation. Prosecutors claimed the councillor’s words were intended to incite violence against demonstrators.
However, following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, a jury acquitted him of the charge on Friday.
Family hits out at ‘two-tier justice’
Outside court, Jones’ wife Lucy Connolly criticised the handling of the case, claiming her husband had been “made the poster boy for the far right” and targeted by political opponents.
“This was two-tier justice from the start,” she said. “He was vilified before the facts were heard.”
Political fallout
The remarks were alleged to have been made during heightened tensions in Southport, where unrest had followed the deaths of three children. The Labour Party faced calls to take disciplinary action, and Jones’ suspension remains in place pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
The court heard that Jones had been attending the anti-racism rally in a personal capacity when the alleged comment was made. Defence lawyers argued his words were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
Verdict welcomed by defence
Speaking after the verdict, Jones said: “I am relieved the truth has come out. This case has caused huge distress for my family, and I’m grateful to the jury for seeing sense.”
Labour has yet to confirm whether Jones will be reinstated.
