Labour councillor Ricky Jones acted ‘out of character’ at rally

A Labour councillor who referred to as for far-right protesters’ throats to be lower acted “utterly out of character” and was within the incorrect, a court docket has heard.

Ricky Jones, 58, is on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court docket after calling demonstrators “disgusting Nazi fascists” throughout an anti-racism rally in Walthamstow on 7 August final yr.

The Dartford councillor instructed police his remarks, captured on video as he addressed “tens of 1000’s” of individuals, had been “ill-advised”.

Mr Jones, who was then a full-time official for the Transport Salaried Staffs Affiliation (TSSA) union, instructed jurors his feedback weren’t meant to be “taken actually by anybody”. He denies encouraging violent behaviour.

Mr Jones’ pal Kevin Courtney, a retired trainer, instructed jurors on Thursday that he was “shocked” by his feedback.

He stated: “I had not heard him say these phrases or something in any manner much like that…

“I feel they [the comments] are incorrect. I used to be shocked that Ricky stated them – I feel it’s utterly out of character.”

The court docket heard Mr Courtney, a former joint common secretary of the Nationwide Training Union (NEU), had beforehand attended rallies with the councillor.

Requested by defence barrister Hossein Zahir KC, whether or not Mr Jones had ever inspired any type of violence, Mr Courtney stated: “No, it was a whole shock after I noticed that video…

“The temper was peaceable – Ricky’s phrases simply did not gel with that in any respect.”

Mr Jones instructed jurors on Tuesday that his feedback weren’t directed in the direction of these on the rally.

He stated he was referring “particularly” to an incident the place a ‘Nationwide Entrance Rights for Whites’ sticker had been discovered on a practice with a hidden razor blade behind it.

The councillor instructed jurors on Wednesday that he felt “very emotional and really upset” after receiving footage of the stickers the day earlier than the rally.

He stated that the gang in Walthamstow “clearly knew” his feedback had been made in relation to “what occurred on the practice”.

Mr Jones went in opposition to recommendation to not attend the rally held in response to protests which had taken place following the homicide of three youngsters in Southport.

He was arrested the day after making the feedback and instructed the court docket he felt it was his “responsibility” to attend counter-protests.

The trial continues.

Extra reporting by PA Media