Ricky Jones: Suspended Labour councillor charged with encouraging violent disorder
A suspended Labour councillor has been charged with encouraging violent disorder.
Ricky Jones, 57, was filmed addressing a crowd at a London demonstration on Wednesday evening, during which he “appeared to make remarks and a gesture to encourage others to act violently towards far-right protestors”, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Following his appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Jones was remanded into custody.
He did not enter a plea, and his next appearance will be at Inner London Crown Court on 6 September.
Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram said: “It is alleged that using a microphone you addressed a crowd at an anti-fascist protest and, talking about others you described as ‘disgusting Nazi fascists’, you said ‘we need to cut their throats and get rid of them’.”
Speaking before the court appearance, Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said: “We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Jones, who is a councillor in Dartford, Kent, was suspended by the Labour Party after he was arrested on Thursday.