Reform UK has reported Green Party leader Zack Polanski to the police after he shared an Instagram post that included an image of a man wearing a T-shirt with a guillotine and the words "We're only making plans for Nigel." The image was shared on X by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who stated that if he had posted something as "inciteful," he would expect to be arrested.

A spokesperson for the Green Party stated that Zack Polanski immediately unshared the post once it was brought to his attention and unequivocally does not support such "dangerous messages." Polanski had shared the photo with his 713,000 followers as part of a post containing several images from a Green Party event, having accepted a request to collaborate with another account.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on X that they received a "third-party report relating to an image shared on social media." They added that they take reports of this nature "extremely seriously" and that officers are conducting enquiries.

The lyrics "We're only making plans for Nigel" are from a 1979 song by the band XTC. The Green Party spokesperson further explained that Polanski was tagged in a post with 20 images and accepted without fully realizing its content. They described the T-shirt as being "clearly in poor taste, especially at a time of heightened fears for the security of public figures," noting that Polanski himself has experienced multiple threats.

Reform UK's home affairs spokesperson, Zia Yusuf, described the image as depicting a man "calling for the beheading of Nigel Farage" and claimed it could be an "incitement to murder." Yusuf confirmed Reform UK's report to the police and stated they would also report Polanski to the monitoring officer at the Greater London Assembly, where he is an elected member. Yusuf emphasized the gravity of the image "just two weeks after our friend Ann was murdered," referring to the death of Reform UK member Ann Widdecombe.

The BBC understands that Polanski has not yet been contacted by the police. A freelance photographer, using the username just.barold, claimed responsibility for the photo, stating it was of someone wearing a satirical T-shirt and not intended as a serious threat. He apologized to Polanski on X, asserting that it was not Polanski's fault and that he himself had reported to the police.

The photographer described the "performative outrage" as such and suggested any complaints should be directed at him. He reiterated that the T-shirt was not intended to offend or pose a threat to anyone's safety.

The death of Ann Widdecombe, 78, found dead in her home on July 9, with a 28-year-old man charged with her murder, has reignited discussions about the security of political figures in public life.