Police have arrested a Labour councillor who allegedly said far-right protesters should all have their throats cut has been suspended by the party.
Ricky Jones is accused of making the comment at an anti-racism rally in Walthamstow, east London, on Wednesday night.
It was one of a number of counter-demonstrations in response to the riots which have erupted across the UK following the murder of three young girls in Southport.
A video of the rally shows a man saying: “They are disgusting Nazi fascists and we need to cut all of their throats and get rid of them all.”
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Officers have arrested a man aged in his 50s at an address in south-east London.
“He was held on suspicion of encouraging murder and for an offence under the Public Order Act. He is in custody at a south London police station.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated. The councillor has been suspended from the party.”
It means Jones has had the Labour whip removed and will now sit as an independent councillor while an investigation by the party is carried out.