Ricky Jones, a suspended Labour councillor from Dartford, has pleaded not guilty to charges of encouraging violent disorder during an anti-racism demonstration in east London. The 57-year-old is accused of making inflammatory comments while addressing a crowd in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, on August 7, during a protest organized in response to nationwide violent unrest.
The case stems from a video that surfaced after the demonstration, in which Jones appeared to call for violence against far-right protesters, allegedly suggesting their “throats be cut.” Two days later, Jones was charged with encouraging violent disorder by the police.
The case has now been classified as a Class 1C offence under the Crime and Disorder Act, requiring it to be heard by a higher court. District Judge Oscar Del Fabbro instructed Jones to submit a defence statement by October 25, with a provisional trial date set for January 20, 2025, at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
[block_2]Jones, who has served as a councillor in Dartford since 2019, has been suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of the case.
