Steven Swinford@Steven_Swinford
EXCLUSIVE from @fintan_03 and @benellery
Zack Polanski has admitted he did not vote in last week’s local elections
The Green Party leader had previously indicated through a spokesman that he had cast a postal vote in Hackney before spending polling day in Wales, and had publicly told the east London borough’s mayoral candidate: “You have my vote”
However, after inquiries by The Times, the party confirmed on Thursday that he had in fact not registered to vote in the elections because of fears for his safety
Polanski had pledged his support to Zoë Garbett, the Green candidate for Hackney mayor, telling her “you have my vote” in a campaign video released on May 3
“One consequence of the heightened intrusion and safety risk he faces was that Zack did not register to vote in the most recent local elections,” a spokesman said
The party said Polanski had faced “extreme and distressing press intrusion” since becoming leader, including “antisemitic cartoons” and journalists “doorstepping family members”, and was now in discussions with police and local authorities about registering anonymously
thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar…
