Green Party leader Zack Polanski has landed himself in hot water, as some of his claims were refuted by the British Red Cross. Polanski made the false claims back in 2022, and now they are raising concerns about his credibility.
The Claims at the Centre of the Row: What Did Zack Polanski Say?
There are two main claims at the centre of this latest controversy which is growing more intense and garnering immense attention, from both the media and the general public. One which is related to his alleged association with the the British Red Cross, while another is his claim about being member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy.
Hypnotherapy Credentials: What Was Claimed vs What Emerged
Polanski, used to work as a hypnotherapist before entering. In one of his most bizarre comments, in an interview with British newspaper, the Sun, Polanski claimed that used hypnotherapy to enlarge a client's breasts, back in 2013.
He even appeared on a radio show with BBC Radio Humberside to promote the claim. "the evidence is growing. I believe that it can happen in theory". To promote his services, Polanski claimed to be a member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy, even though he was only a student member of the organisation.
Fast forward to today; the Greens leader has backtracked from his comments by saying that his statement was misinterpreted. Polanski also claimed that he appeared on BBC, a day after the Sun's article was published, to apologise.
British Red Cross Association: Clarifying the Record
Polanski claimed to be a member and spokesperson for the humanitarian charity, the British Red Cross. He also shared an example of his alleged work with the charity on microblogging platform, X.
"I've always admired the work of the British Red Cross. From their work to support refugees to their work supporting people in Gaza & conflict zones around the world.", the post said in which Polanski attached a donation link.
How the Claims Were Debunked
The claims were debunked after a recent expose by the Times. The British Red Cross also said that Mr Polanski "has not been a spokesperson" for the organisation and confirmed that it raised the issue with his team. The Times also did a complete fact check to expose his other claim about being a member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy.
Political Reactions
The controversy has drawn crossfire from different aisles of the political spectrum. While critics and the general public argue that maintaining accuracy is important for public records. And such misleading claims only undermine his credibility and authenticity as a politician.