A Labour councillor has been suspended after a video circulated on social media which appeared to show him making “unacceptable” remarks at a counter-protest yesterday.
Footage appears to show Dartford councillor Ricky Jones at an event in Walthamstow, organised in response to plans from far-right extremists to target the offices of lawyers helping migrants, as well as asylum centres, across the country.
Referring to the far-right protesters, a man thought to be Jones can be seen telling the crowd: “We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.”
A spokesperson for Dartford Labour said that a member of their group had been suspended from the Labour Party.
In a post on social media, Dartford Labour said: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media involving a member of the Dartford Labour Group.
“The behaviour displayed in the video is completely unacceptable. The member has now been suspended from the Labour Party.”
Sign up to our must-read daily briefing email on all things Labour
LabourList understands Jones has had the Labour whip automatically removed as a result of his suspension and will not sit as a Labour councillor.
It comes after thousands of people across the country attended counter-protests after far-right extremists planned dozens of demonstrations across England.
The Labour Party made no further comment.
Jones was not immediately available for comment.
SHARE: If you have anything to share that we should be looking into or publishing about this story – or any other topic involving Labour or the election – contact us (strictly anonymously if you wish) at [email protected].
SUBSCRIBE: Sign up to LabourList’s morning email here for the best briefing on everything Labour, every weekday morning.
DONATE: If you value our work, please donate to become one of our supporters here and help sustain and expand our coverage.
PARTNER: If you or your organisation might be interested in partnering with us on sponsored events or content, email [email protected].
Value our free and unique service?
LabourList has more readers than ever before – but we need your support. Our dedicated coverage of Labour’s policies and personalities, internal debates, selections and elections relies on donations from our readers.
