Suspended Labour councillor on trial over inciting violent disorder at protest

A suspended Labour councillor will go on trial charged with encouraging violent disorder during an anti-racism protest.

Ricky Jones, 57, is alleged to have committed the offence while addressing a crowd at the demonstration in Walthamstow, east London, on August 7 last year.

It is alleged he described far-right protesters as “disgusting Nazi fascists” and said “we need to cut their throats and get rid of them”, a previous court hearing was told.

A video which appeared to show Jones calling for far-right protesters’ throats to be “cut” emerged on social media after the protest.

The demonstration was organised in response to the nationwide violent disorder that occurred last summer following the fatal stabbings at a children’s dance class in Southport, Merseyside.

Jones will face one count of encouraging violent disorder at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, having pleaded not guilty to the offence at the same court last September.

Defence barrister Hossein Zahir KC previously said Jones accepted the words had been spoken but denied knowing the offence of violent disorder would be committed.

Jones, who has been a borough councillor in Dartford, Kent, since 2019, was suspended by the Labour Party the day after the alleged incident.

In reference to the video, a Labour spokesperson said at the time: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.”