The new YouGov poll shows the continuing fragmentation of UK politics, with no parties hitting above 30%.

The new YouGov poll shows the continuing fragmentation of UK politics, with no parties hitting above 30%.

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A Labour councillor who called for far-right protesters’ throats to be cut has been cleared in court.

Ricky Jones, 58, was accused of encouraging violent disorder after footage emerged showing him speaking to a crowd at a protest in east London last year in the wake of the Southport murders and rioting.

Jones described the protesters as ‘disgusting Nazi fascists’ at the counter-protest held in Walthamstow on August 7 last year.

He said after far-right protesters had marched outside the Walthamstow Forest Immigration Bureau: ‘They are disgusting Nazi fascists. We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.’

He used his finger to cut across his throat as he addressed the crowd.

The alleged offence sparked claims over two-tier policing from politicians on the right, including Nigel Farage.

Zia Yusuf, the former Reform chairman, said after Jones was found not guilty that ‘two-tier justice in this country is out of control.’

The now-suspended councillor was at trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court today.

After deliberating for just half an hour, the jurors found him not guilty.

Jones, a borough councillor in Dartford, Kent, was suspended from the Labour Party the next day.

He argued that his comments referred to people who had reportedly glued National Front stickers on a train with razor blades hidden behind them.

The court was shown a video where he also told the crowds at the protest: ‘You’ve got women and children using these trains during the summer holidays.

‘They don’t give a shit about who they hurt.’

Prosecutor Ben Holt had previously told the court that Jones used ‘inflammatory, rabble-rousing language in the throng of a crowd described as a tinderbox.’

He said the speech was amplified through a microphone and speakers in a place where ‘violence could readily have been anticipated.’

However, Jones said during his evidence that the mood in the crowd at the time of his speech was ‘happy and joyful.’

The dad-of-four added: ‘There clearly wasn’t any upset or anger from any people in that scene, because they clearly knew it was about what happened on the train.’

At the time of the protest, Jones worked as an official for the Transport Salaried Staff’s Association (TSSA) union.

A Labour Party spokesperson said at the time of his suspension: ‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.

‘The councillor has been suspended from the party.’

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She was asked in an interview with the BBC whether she regretted the comments. But she replied: ‘No, not at all.’

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The Prime Minister has suspended four MPs from the Labour Party.

The move comes after a vote in Parliament over the planned – and controversial – welfare reforms earlier this month.

Sir Keir’s welfare bill passed by 335 votes to 260 after last-minute changes to the proposal to have it approved after uproar over the plans to cut Universal Credit and Pip payments.

Despite the changes, some MPs rebelled in the final vote, and they have now been suspended.

Which Labour MPs have been suspended?

The Labour leader has suspended three first-year MPs – Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff – and one, Rachael Maskell, who has been the MP for York Central since 2015.

Mr Duncan-Jordan and Ms Leishman confirmed the suspension.

Mr Hinchliff’s suspension was first reported by The Times.

Why have they been suspended?

The suspension means the four have ‘lost the whip’ after they voted against the government’s planned welfare reforms on July 1.

MPs who belong to a party are expected to vote in Parliament as the party leadership desires.

The MPs are now expelled from the Labour Party as disciplinary action.

However, expelled politicians can continue as MPs, but they no longer have to follow the party line during voting.

Mr Duncan-Jordan, an MP for Poole, said after the news emerged: ‘Since being elected, I have consistently spoken up for my constituents on a range of issues, including most recently on cuts to disability benefits.

‘I understood this could come at a cost, but I couldn’t support making disabled people poorer.

‘Although I’ve been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party today, I’ve been part of the Labour and trade union movement for 40 years and remain as committed as ever to its values.’

Meanwhile, Mr Leishman, who represents Alloa and Grangemouth, said: ‘I wish to remain a Labour MP and deliver the positive change many voters are craving.

‘I have voted against the Government on issues because I want to effectively represent and be the voice for communities across Alloa and Grangemouth.

‘I firmly believe that it is not my duty as an MP to make people poorer, especially those that have suffered because of austerity and its dire consequences.’

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For more stories like this, check our news page.

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