Ex-Labour Councillor Jailed After Shocking Call for Violence at East London Rally
Ricky Jones Charged Over Violent Speech
Ricky Jones, 57, a former Labour councillor, has been remanded in custody after being charged with encouraging violence during an anti-fascist protest in Walthamstow, east London. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday but entered no plea.
Jones, spotted in a sharp Hugo Boss T-shirt during the hearing, was arrested on Thursday after a video surfaced. The clip shows him allegedly urging the crowd to “cut the throats” of far-right protesters during the demonstration on Wednesday.
Judge Details Grave Allegations
Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram laid out the charges, quoting Jones’ inflammatory words: “We need to cut their throats and get rid of them,” referring to those he called “disgusting Nazi fascists.”
The judge highlighted that the Crown claims Jones deliberately encouraged serious violence, believing his words would spur others into action.
Labour Suspends Councillor Amid Outrage
Jones, who has been a dartford/" title="Dartford" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Dartford councillor since 2019, is now suspended from the Labour Party. A party spokesperson slammed his conduct as “completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.”
Jones is due back in court at Inner London Crown Court on September 6.
Prosecutors Urge Public to Avoid Prejudice
Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for north London, reminded the public to respect ongoing legal proceedings. He warned against sharing commentary or information online that might prejudice the trial, stressing Jones’s right to a fair hearing.
