Councillor denies encouraging violent disorder

A suspended Labour councillor has denied encouraging violent disorder in connection with comments at a counter-protest.

Videos had emerged online reportedly showing Ricky Jones telling a crowd in Walthamstow, London, that far right demonstrators needed to have their throats cut.

The Dartford councillor was arrested by the Metropolitan Police last month and was charged.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court, Mr Jones pleaded not guilty.

Mr Jones could be seen in the video appearing to tell a crowd in Walthamstow, north London, that demonstrators should "have their throats cut."

The video also appeared to show him comparing them to Nazis and saying "we need to get rid of them all.”

At the time, a Labour spokesperson said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated."

Reform UK MP for Clacton, Nigel Farage, had previously called for Mr Jones' to be arrested.

Mr Jones had been a councillor in Dartford, Kent, since 2019 before he was suspended.

A trial has been set for January next year.

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