Red Cross staff member slams “appalling” smear campaign against Polanski

Recently, further cynical attacks were made by the Times in an attempt to smear the stiff competition levelled at the Green Party and their leader Zack Polanski. One of the latest mudslinging attempts, in the hopes something might stick, is that Polanski ‘falsely’ claimed to be a spokesperson for British Red Cross.

Despite the British Red Cross operating as a non-political humanitarian organisation, the billionaire-owned right-wing media and opportunistic political opponents aggressively pushed the issue as some kind of “gotcha.”

However, a British Red Cross staffer has now spoken out through journalist Owen Jones saying that the smear is “appalling”, and that Polanski:

represented the organisation publicly, and spoke about its core principles, including humanitarianism, impartiality, and voluntary service. He was, in practice, acting as a public-facing representative of the charity at these events.

As a result, this “gotcha” attempt has only exposed even more clearly that these right-wing pundits prioritise their own political careers above any genuine sense of social responsibility or commitment to vulnerable people, regardless of their party affiliation.

This deserves to be circulated.

A former Red Cross staff member got in touch.

She testifies about @ZackPolanski's role.

For transparency: her name is Brea Thibodeau.

The whole thing is a desperate smear. pic.twitter.com/f0iH3Dn4bP

— Owen Jones (@owenjonesjourno) May 7, 2026

Polanski facing smears

Starmer’s Labour Party have been jumping on the smear-bandwagon as they apparently have no other tools to their belt other than false smear campaigns to diminish competitors. This is all the clearer when we remember the take-down of Corbyn using the same accusation of antisemitism, to which the former Labour leader capitulated and oversaw a purge of socialist, anti-Zionist members.

In contrast to Corbyn, Polanski has largely refused to apologise and in turn, legitimise the latest sinister politically motivated allegation. However, in this particular instance, he did indeed apologised. But, this testimony from Brea Thibodeau just underscores the fact that Polanski had absolutely nothing he needed to apologise for.

We recognise that the right-wing measure everything through the lens of profit, but as any working-class person can recognise that when someone gives their time and work freely, that commitment does not make their contribution any less valuable.

Thibodeau’s testimony made this clear:

I was a paid member of staff at the British Red Cross where I managed Dance: Make Your Move fundraising events. These events regularly attracted large audiences and involved significant participation from young people, raising substantial funds for the charity.

Zack Polanski volunteered as an emcee at several of these events over multiple years.

finishing:

The recent smear campaign is appalling. Zack was an enthusiastic, kind and valued volunteer who believed deeply in the cause.

Falls flat

Another far-right ‘burn’ that just falls flat like a damp squib. In reality, they’ve actually raised further awareness of the principled work Polanski has previously been involved with. After all, any publicity is good publicity when you have nothing to hide.

Moreover, by weaponising someone’s involvement with a humanitarian organisation – work from which they gained nothing financially – against a political opponent, these vile politicians and pundits only expose their own cynicism and strip away their masks even further.

The real offence is that Polanski champions left-wing politics and there are no punches that the British establishment won’t throw when you do that, as Owen Jones further outlined in this piece for the Guardian:

The media assault on Zack Polanski- @owenjonesjourno
at his besthttps://t.co/s8J4PkMyJH

— William Dalrymple (@DalrympleWill) May 7, 2026

People deserve to matter, and we can make that happen at the ballot

Jewish leader Zack Polanski has faced a barrage of baseless allegations claiming not only that his party provides a political home for antisemitism, but even that he himself is antisemitic. Given that Judaism is Polanski’s own faith, these smears have reached a particularly absurd and ridiculous low. This latest ‘gotcha’ attempt just makes those throwing them around look all the more pathetic, greedy, and self-interested.

British society must start making this behaviour politically and socially expensive, instead of rewarding it with undivided and uncritical attention, power, and profit. Hate-fuelled drivel has dominated political rhetoric for far too long, and the public should stop allowing cynicism and division to remain so lucrative.

Therefore, vote for Independents and the Green’s today. Show them that we reject the political establishment’s manipulation and that the public will no longer tolerate being patronised and treated like fools.

Instead, it’s time to expose the bigotry in the UK and change our society for the better.

Featured image via the Canary