Reform UK has sharply criticised police after authorities decided not to pursue further action over a controversial T-shirt featuring a cartoon guillotine alongside the phrase “We’re only making plans for Nigel,” a reference to the 1979 XTC song.
The decision has reignited political debate over how law enforcement responds to cases involving threats or imagery directed at public figures.
Senior Reform figure Robert Jenrick argued that the outcome reinforces concerns about what he described as “two-tier policing,” claiming the authorities have treated this case differently from others involving social media content.
Police Close Both Lines of Inquiry
The controversy began after Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski shared an Instagram gallery containing an image of a man wearing the T-shirt.
Although the post was later deleted, Reform UK reported the matter to police, arguing that the imagery warranted criminal investigation.
The Metropolitan Police reviewed complaints relating to the online sharing of the image before concluding that no further action would be taken.
Officers also recorded a crime report relating to the original wearing of the T-shirt at a political event in Bristol, transferring that aspect of the case to Avon and Somerset Police because it fell within their jurisdiction.
After assessing the available evidence, Avon and Somerset Police likewise decided that the legal threshold for criminal proceedings had not been met.
Jenrick Questions Consistency in Law Enforcement
Speaking during a press conference, Jenrick stopped short of directing police on how investigations should be handled but questioned the apparent inconsistency in enforcement.
He argued that other individuals have previously faced police visits, arrests, or prosecutions over comments made online, making the decision in this case appear difficult to reconcile.
Jenrick said that if authorities also abandon any investigation into the individual who originally wore the T-shirt, it would strengthen Reform UK’s belief that policing standards are being applied unevenly.
Reform Highlights Security Concerns Around Farage
Jenrick also framed his criticism within the wider context of threats against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
He pointed to the significant number of threats Farage has reportedly received in recent years, including incidents that have resulted in arrests and imprisonment.
He further referenced the recent killing of former Conservative minister and later Reform spokesperson Ann Widdecombe, arguing that such events should make authorities especially cautious when dealing with imagery that could be interpreted as targeting political figures.
According to Jenrick, the decision not to investigate a T-shirt displaying a blood-stained guillotine image was “astonishing” given the security environment surrounding elected politicians.
Metropolitan Police Explain Decision
The Metropolitan Police said its review considered not only Polanski’s Instagram post but also the wider circulation of the same image, noting that it had been shared or reposted by approximately 130 different accounts.
Officers concluded that investigating every individual or organisation involved would require significant resources while being unlikely to result in criminal offences being established.
For that reason, they determined that a full investigation would not represent a proportionate use of police resources.
The force also noted that the disputed image appeared as the 18th photograph in a gallery of 20 images and acknowledged Polanski’s explanation that he had overlooked it before deleting the entire post.
Authorities Emphasise Commitment to Politicians’ Safety
Scotland Yard stressed that the safety of public officials remains a priority and acknowledged public concern over the image.
However, officers maintained that, after reviewing the available evidence, the legal threshold required for criminal action had not been reached.
Police added that those affected had been informed of the decision and reassured that protective measures and security support remain available where appropriate.
Avon and Somerset Police Cite Lack of Criminal Intent
Avon and Somerset Police said investigators carefully examined the circumstances surrounding the Bristol event, including the wording on the T-shirt, its marketing as a satirical item, and the broader context in which it was worn.
The force stated that no complaints had been made by attendees at the event and found no evidence that the wearer intended to threaten anyone or encourage violence against an individual.
Based on those findings, senior detectives concluded that the incident did not amount to a criminal offence and formally closed the investigation.
Polanski Defends His Actions While Greens Reject Reform Criticism
Polanski declined to apologise during an appearance on BBC Newsnight, insisting the inclusion of the image had been accidental rather than deliberate.
He explained that he had not closely reviewed every photograph in the gallery before posting it and removed the post after becoming aware of the issue.
While acknowledging the mistake, he reiterated his opposition to political violence and said he would exercise greater care with future social media posts.
The Green Party welcomed the police decisions, stating that investigators had confirmed no criminal offence had occurred.
Party representatives accused Reform UK of using the controversy for political advantage, arguing the issue had been turned into a distraction from wider questions surrounding the party.
