A Labour councillor who allegedly called for the throats of far-right protesters to be cut acted “completely out of character” and was in the wrong, a court has been told.
Ricky Jones, 58, is standing trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court after referring to demonstrators as “disgusting Nazi fascists” during an anti-racism rally in Walthamstow on August 7 of the previous year.
The Dartford councillor reportedly told police that his remarks, which were captured on video while addressing “tens of thousands” of people, were “ill-advised.”
Mr. Jones, who at the time was a full-time official for the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) union, informed jurors that his comments were not intended to be “taken literally by anyone.” He is denying charges of encouraging violent behavior.
Kevin Courtney, a retired teacher and friend of Mr. Jones, testified on Thursday that he was “surprised” by the comments.
He stated, “I had not heard him say those words or anything in any way similar to that…”
“I think they [the comments] are wrong. I was surprised that Ricky said them – I think it is completely out of character.”
The court heard that Mr. Courtney, a former joint general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), had previously attended rallies with the councillor.
When questioned by defence barrister Hossein Zahir KC on whether Mr. Jones had ever encouraged any form of violence, Mr. Courtney responded: “No, it was a complete shock when I saw that video…”
“The mood was peaceful – Ricky’s words just didn’t gel with that at all.”
Mr. Jones told jurors on Tuesday that his comments were not directed towards those at the rally.
He stated that he was referring “specifically” to an incident where a ‘National Front Rights for Whites’ sticker had been discovered on a train with a concealed razor blade behind it.
The councillor informed jurors on Wednesday that he felt “very emotional and very upset” after receiving photographs of the stickers the day before the rally.
He said that the crowd in Walthamstow “clearly knew” his comments were made in relation to “what happened on the train.”
Mr. Jones reportedly went against advice not to attend the rally, which was held in response to protests that had occurred following the murder of three children in Southport.
He was arrested the day after making the comments and told the court that he felt it was his “duty” to attend counter-protests.
The trial is ongoing.
Additional reporting by PA Media
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