Green Party Returns £1,539 Donation from Leader Zack Polanski

The Green Party of England and Wales returned a donation of £1,539.45 made by its leader Zack Polanski, BBC News reported. The donation, given to the London Green Party in September 2025, was returned on 10 June 2026 after the national party learned of the issue. UK electoral law requires parties to return impermissible donations within 30 days.

Polanski was not on the UK electoral register at the time of the donation for security reasons, deputy leader Rachel Millward told BBC News. She said he is in conversation with the police to register to vote anonymously for protection. A Green Party spokesperson said the donation was made to the London Green Party and returned once the national party was notified.

It is common practice for Green candidates elected to the London Assembly to donate a portion of their salary to the party. If a donee becomes aware after 30 days that a donation is impermissible, they should act quickly to return the value to the donor or to the commission.

The commission is currently considering the matter under its regulatory remit but it is not the subject of an investigation. Polanski did not vote in the local elections in London last month. The party's spokesperson said he has faced heightened intrusion and safety risk and has been the target of antisemitic and homophobic abuse since becoming leader, with two arrests related to abuse directed towards him.

Polanski failed to register to vote due to security concerns and the extra process required to register anonymously.