Ricky Jones, a suspended Labour councillor from Dartford, has pleaded not guilty to charges of encouraging violent disorder during an anti-racism demonstration in east London. The 57-year-old is accused of making inflammatory comments while addressing a crowd in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, on August 7, during a protest organized in response to nationwide violent unrest.

The case stems from a video that surfaced after the demonstration, in which Jones appeared to call for violence against far-right protesters, allegedly suggesting their “throats be cut.” Two days later, Jones was charged with encouraging violent disorder by the police.

Appearing via video link from HMP Wormwood Scrubs during a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, Jones confirmed his identity and pleaded not guilty. The defendant’s lawyer, Hossein Zahir KC, acknowledged that Jones had used the words but argued that his client did not anticipate the remarks would incite violent disorder.

During an earlier session at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram highlighted the specific allegations, noting that Jones had referred to “disgusting Nazi fascists” and urged the crowd to “cut their throats and get rid of them.

The case has now been classified as a Class 1C offence under the Crime and Disorder Act, requiring it to be heard by a higher court. District Judge Oscar Del Fabbro instructed Jones to submit a defence statement by October 25, with a provisional trial date set for January 20, 2025, at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Jones, who has served as a councillor in Dartford since 2019, has been suspended from the Labour Party pending the outcome of the case.