Ex-Labour councillor Ricky Jones pleads not guilty over 'cut their throats' speech during riots

A former Labour councillor is set to stand trial next year over an allegation he encouraged violent disorder in a speech to an anti-fascist protest during the recent riots.

Ricky Jones, 57, was filmed telling a crowd on August 7: “They are disgusting fascists and we need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all."

He has been a councillor in Dartford, Kent since 2019, and was suspended by the Labour Party in the wake of the video circulating online.

The protest he addressed in Walthamstow was called in response to days of rioting and violent disorder by far-right groups.

Jones, who has been held in custody since his arrest, appeared on a videolink from HMP Wormwood Scrubs to Snaresbrook crown court on Friday.

He pleaded not guilty to encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence, and a five-day trial was set for January 20 next year.

Jones is accused of encouraging violent disorder with his speech on August 7, as well as “believing it would be committed” as a result of his words.

The councillor was remanded back into custody at Friday’s hearing, but the court was told a bail application is set to be made.

Jones, who lives in Dartford, is set to return to court for the bail application on a date to be set, as well as a pre-trial review set for December 9.

“We have to set a trial date within the custody trial dates, and the earliest date we can offer is January 20 next year”, said Judge Oscar Del Fabbro.