A suspended Labour councillor has been remanded in custody after he was charged with allegedly encouraging violence while addressing a crowd during an anti-fascist protest.

Dartford councillor Ricky Jones was arrested yesterday after a video emerged in which he appeared to call for far-right protesters’ throats to be “cut” on Wednesday.

The 57-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this afternoon wearing a Hugo Boss T-shirt and did not enter a plea.

Jones was remanded in custody to next appear at Inner London Crown Court on September 6.

Ahead of the councillor’s appearance in court, Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for north London, reminded the public not to prejudice court proceedings.

She said: “Jones was filmed addressing a crowd in Walthamstow on Wednesday, August 7 during which he appeared to make remarks and a gesture to encourage others to act violently towards far-right protesters.

“We remind all concerned that criminal proceedings are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Jones has been a councillor in Dartford for the Princes Ward since 2019.

In reference to the video, a Labour spokesperson said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.”