Zack Polanski’s False British Red Cross Claim Fuels Green Party Leadership Turmoil

During his Green Party leadership campaign, Zack Polanski claimed to be a British Red Cross spokesperson. The charity denied the claim, stating Polanski “has not been a spokesperson” and that it has raised the issue with the party.

The Guardian

Polanski’s bid follows earlier controversies. A 2013 Sun feature reported he offered hypnosis to enlarge a woman’s breasts, a one-off request he later described as such. The BBC reported he later described a “successful project” involving breast-size alteration. Two Green candidates, Sabine Mairey and Saiqa Ali, were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, and an antisemitic cartoon of Polanski appeared in a newspaper.

The Guardian

The British Red Cross confirmed Polanski has never served as its spokesperson and said it has contacted the Green Party. A Green Party spokesperson declined comment but criticised The Times for publishing an antisemitic cartoon of Polanski, calling for an apology. Labour’s spokesperson urged Polanski to “come clean with the public” and raised concerns about his honesty and the party’s handling of antisemitism.

The Guardian

Labour officials framed Polanski’s false claim as part of a pattern of misleading statements, linking it to his hypnotherapy controversy. Critics say repeated misrepresentations erode public trust in the Green Party’s leadership contest, and the arrests of Mairey and Ali have intensified calls for stricter vetting.

The Guardian

• “I’ve always admired the work of the British Red Cross. From their work to support refugees to their work supporting people in Gaza and conflict zones around the world,” — Zack Polanski, X post

The Guardian

• “Instead of apologising, the same paper that published an incredibly offensive antisemitic cartoon of Zack Polanski is devoting column inches to bottom of the barrel stories,” — Green Party spokesperson, statement to press

The Guardian

• “Statements that have now come to light from a handful of @TheGreenParty candidates are totally unacceptable & require immediate action,” — Caroline Lucas, X post

The Guardian

• “After previously fibbing about his weird hypnotic past, Zack Polanski has been caught in the act again.” — Labour spokesperson, statement to media

The Guardian

The Times reported Polanski claimed membership in the National Council of Hypnotherapy, a claim the council has not confirmed. The British Red Cross’s denial of a spokesperson role contradicts Polanski’s repeated public assertions, leaving a factual gap about any informal affiliation.

The Guardian

The Green Party leadership election proceeds on Thursday, with officials expected to address the spokesperson claim and disciplinary actions. Labour and civil-rights groups will monitor the party’s handling of antisemitism and candidate vetting, and the British Red Cross may seek further clarification if additional misrepresentations arise.

The Guardian