A suspended Labour councillor has pleaded not guilty to encouraging violence during an address to a crowd at an anti-facist protest last month.
Ricky Jones, who sits on Dartford Borough Council in Kent, is accused of telling a crowd on August 7 that far-right rioters should have their throats cut out.
The 57-year-old appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday via videolink where he spoke to confirm his identity and enter a not guilty plea.
Hossein Zahir KC, for the defence, told the court that while Jones admits to the words, he denies knowing the offence of violent disorder would be committed or could play any part in inciting violence.
Judge Oscar Del Fabbro set a trial date for January 20, 2025 and it is estimated to last five days. Jones remains in custody at HMP Wormwood Scrubs.
Ricky Jones, pictured at the protest, has been charged after allegedly telling a crowd ‘we need to cut the throats’ of ‘disgusting nasty fascists’
Jones was arrested and appeared in court charged with encouraging violence
The charges arose over a video in which he allegedly said: ‘They are disgusting nasty fascists and we need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.’
He was arrested by the Metropolitan Police at an address in South East London just a day after the anti-fascist protest in Walthamstow Central.
Jones was held on suspicion of encouraging murder and for an offence under the Public Order Act.
He allegedly accused members of the far-right of putting National Front stickers with razor blades hidden behind them on trains.
The politican, who is an organiser for the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) union, has been suspended by the Labour Party.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: ‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. The councillor has been suspended from the party.’
A TSSA spokesperson said: ‘TSSA remains steadfast in supporting communities that peacefully stand against fascist aggression. We unequivocally do not condone any threats or acts of violence, as these actions are contrary to our values.’
It is understood Jones was administratively suspended from the party, and the whip has been removed, which means he can no longer be called a Labour councillor.
He allegedly made the comments at an anti-racism demonstration in Walthamstow which saw thousands of people flood the streets after suggestions the far-right could rally in the area.
Jones, who sits on Dartford Borough Council, has since been suspended by the Labour Party following his alleged comments
Jones is thought to have attended a large-scale anti-racism protest in Walthamstow (pictured)
The rally saw chants of ‘Whose streets? Our Streets!’ with the attendance in northeast London.
They had gone onto the streets after it was included in a list of around 100 places that were under threat of being targeted by far-right protesters.
Counter-protesters turned out in their thousands in several UK cities- outnumbering ‘anti-immigration’ protesters when they bothered to turn up – in order to send the clear message that Britain does not welcome hate.
The demos came as scores of arrests and dozens of convictions were sealed in rapid time, following more than a week of unrest after three young girls were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29.
Several rallies of hundreds-strong anti-racist activists assembled across London last month.
