Suspended Labour councillor cleared of encouraging violent disorder at rally

A Labour councillor who called for far-right protesters' throats to be cut at an anti-racism rally has been found not guilty of encouraging violent disorder.

Ricky Jones, 58, has been on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court after he called demonstrators "disgusting Nazi fascists" and said "we need to get rid of them all" while addressing a crowd in Walthamstow on 7 August last year.

Mr Jones told police his remarks, captured on video, were "ill-advised" and not intended to incite or encourage violence.

The Dartford councillor, who has since been suspended by the Labour Party, had denied the charge.

A video showing Mr Jones addressing crowds in Walthamstow last year went viral on social media after the protest, which had been organised in response to plans for a far-right march outside Waltham Forest Immigration Bureau.

He also drew his finger across his throat as he spoke to the crowd.

Mr Jones was arrested the day after making the comments and told the court he felt it was his "duty" to attend counter-protests.

Jurors deliberated for just over half an hour before finding him not guilty on Friday.

At the time of the incident, Mr Jones was employed as a full-time official for the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) union.

He has been a borough councillor since 2019 but was suspended by the Labour Party on 8 August last year.