Starmer Says Green Leader Polanski Unfit After Police Criticism

Polanski shared a social media post alleging that officers repeatedly and violently kicked a mentally ill man in the head after he was incapacitated by a Taser. The post related to the arrest of a suspect in the stabbing attack.

Polanski apologized on May 1, 2026, for sharing the post in haste. He stated that social media was not the appropriate channel for commenting on police responses to emergencies. Polanski invited Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to meet and discuss the police response and related issues.

He emphasized the need for leaders to lower tensions during such times. He said politicians should not wade into split-second police decisions. Starmer met the officers involved and said he understood their actions, noting the suspect had a rucksack and they might have feared he would detonate something.

He added that officers needed to disable the suspect quickly. >"You have to make a decision in that split moment according to the situation as you understand it to be. And for politicians to wade in, as Zack Polanski did, is disgraceful. Rowley defended his officers and said it was legitimate to respond to public criticism from an eminent figure.

The Metropolitan Police released body-worn camera footage showing officers shouting for the suspect to get down and drop the knife before using a Taser. Rowley denied his letter was a political intervention, stating it concerned operational policing.

Polanski responded to Starmer's criticism on social media, saying the prime minister was attacking the only Jewish party leader to score political points. The events occur ahead of elections in Scotland, Wales, and some English councils next week, adding to political sensitivity.

Video shared on social media showed the arrest moment, with officers kicking the man in the head after he was Tasered.