Zack Polanski, the Green party leader for England and Wales, falsely claimed to be a spokesperson for the British Red Cross while campaigning for the party leadership, the charity has confirmed. The claim was also featured on his personal website in 2020, where he expressed being "really proud of the work we do."
Charity Denies Spokesperson Role
The British Red Cross informed the Times that Polanski "has not been a spokesperson" for the organization and stated that it had raised the issue with the Green party. Polanski had posted several examples on X of hosting fundraisers for the charity. In response, he wrote, "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."
Green Party Response
A Green party spokesperson did not directly address the claims but instead criticized the Times for publishing what they described as an antisemitic cartoon of Polanski, featuring an exaggerated large nose. "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," they added.
Hypnotherapy Claims Under Scrutiny
The Times report also alleged that Polanski was not a full member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy, despite claiming to be one. His past as a hypnotherapist has drawn attention following a 2013 Sun article where he offered hypnosis intended to increase a woman's breast size. Polanski has repeatedly apologized for the episode, stating it was not a routine service and that he only agreed to what the journalist requested.
Later, the BBC uncovered an interview conducted six days after the Sun article, in which Polanski described "a successful project" with the journalist regarding changing her breast size, suggesting he had attempted the technique with others.
Election Campaign Controversies
The Green party hopes to make significant gains on Thursday, particularly in London, attracting disillusioned Labour voters drawn to Polanski's leadership. However, the campaign has been marred by controversies, including antisemitic comments by several candidates. Two Green candidates for Lambeth council, Sabine Mairey and Saiqa Ali, were arrested on suspicion of stirring up racial hatred online.
Former Green leader Caroline Lucas urged the party to take immediate action against candidates who made antisemitic comments. "Statements that have now come to light from a handful of @TheGreenParty candidates are totally unacceptable & require immediate action," she wrote on X. "There's no place for antisemitism or any hate speech in the party. This is a society-wide problem and needs to be rooted out wherever it's found."
Labour Party Response
A Labour spokesperson called on Polanski to "come clean with the public," adding: "After previously fibbing about his weird hypnotic past, Zack Polanski has been caught in the act again. It's not the first time the Green party leader hasn't been straight with the public. He refuses to say if his council candidates have been suspended for vile antisemitism after claiming to have acted. Now there are serious questions about the work and qualifications he has boasted about. This is a matter of trust."
This article was amended on 6 May 2026 to clarify that Zack Polanski is the leader of the Green party in England and Wales, not the whole of the UK.
