Zack Polanski is facing calls to “come clean with the public” after he is said to have falsely claimed to be a spokesman for the British Red Cross while crowdfunding his campaign to be deputy leader of the Green Party.
In posts on the website Crowdfunder, which have been archived by the Wayback Machine, he said: “As a spokesperson for the British Red Cross – I care deeply about ending racialised policing and have been calling for an end to the phoney war on drugs. Black Lives Matter.”
It is understood that while Mr Polanski has previously supported the charity, he has never been an official spokesman.
The Green Party leader made the claim as he campaigned to become its deputy leader back in 2022, which was first reported by The Times on Tuesday.
With just one day to go until the crucial local elections - where the Green Party is expected to make significant gains - Labour has accused Mr Polanski of not being “straight with the public”.
A Labour Party spokesperson said: “After previously fibbing about his weird hypnotic past, Zack Polanski has been caught in the act again.
“It’s not the first time the Green Party leader hasn’t been straight with the public.
“He refuses to say if his council candidates have been suspended for vile antisemitism after claiming to have acted.
“Now there are serious questions about the work and qualifications he has boasted about. This is a matter of trust.
“Voters will rightly wonder whether Lib Dem-turned-Green Polanski believes anything at all, or whether it’s just all for a cheap headline. Polanski should come clean with the public.”
Asked about the reports, Mr Polanski admitted he “used the wrong word”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I hosted various fundraisers for the British Red Cross, and indeed, I would go on stage and speak for them about the amazing work they do tackling humanitarian crises, on the climate crisis, and indeed, for refugees all around the world.
“I used the wrong word, and I accept that, but I would essentially take words on stage with me and speak. It's important though - and I accept this - that they don't support any political party, and I've made sure that's been taken down.”
It comes as Mr Polanski battles plummeting approval ratings after sharing a social media post criticising police officers for kicking the suspect in the Golders Green attack while arresting him.
The Green leader, whose party has enjoyed a surge in the polls since he took over, saw his approval rating fall 14 points in the past week, according to a survey by pollster More in Common.
The social media post was condemned both by politicians from other parties and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who said it was “inaccurate and misinformed”.
The Greens are also facing accusations of antisemitism, after Labour said it would release a document which they say exposes 25 Green Party local election candidates for having “disturbing views”.
The candidates have been accused of “a raft of harrowing antisemitism, dangerous conspiracy theories and appalling comments supporting Hamas and Russia”.
Two people identified have been arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred towards Jews, according to Labour.
But a Green Party spokesperson said: “We are standing over 4,500 candidates in these local elections, the vast majority of whom we are proud to have represent us.
“Where there are examples brought to our attention that do not align with the values of the Green Party, we are looking into them, and in some cases candidates have already been suspended.
“We are investing in strengthening our vetting procedures to prevent inappropriate candidates slipping through the net.”
Mr Polanski – who is a Green Party London Assembly member – was ultimately successful in his campaign to be deputy leader in 2022 and held the role for almost three years before taking over the leadership last September.
In a statement, a Green Party spokesperson said: “Zack was a host for several fundraisers for the British Red Cross and was on stage actively talking about and supporting their work.”
A British Red Cross spokesperson said: “We support people in crisis every day, no matter who or where they are.
“That is only possible due to the large number of people who raise funds for us and volunteer for us.
“We are a neutral and impartial humanitarian organisation and to protect our vital work, we do not take part in party-political activity or campaigns.”
