Zack Polanski falsely claimed to be a spokesman for the British Red Cross while crowdfunding his campaign for deputy leader of the Green Party.
The left-wing populist has traded heavily on his unconventional background, having trained as an actor, handed out flyers for nightclubs and worked as a hypnotherapist before turning to politics.
But The Times has uncovered disputed claims among the past experiences listed on his former website and independent promotional pages.
They include his repeated assertion to have acted as a “spokesperson” for the British Red Cross, which he put on his site and two donation pages while running for deputy leader in 2022. The British Red Cross denied the claim, and the Green Party later said the reference was to Polanski hosting fundraisers for the charity.
It also emerged that Polanski was not a full member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy while working as a hypnotherapist, despite making such a claim to potential clients.
Polanski, 43, has led the Green Party to record highs in the polls and a Manchester by-election win since being elected leader in September 2025. His combative statements and relaxed speaking style have led to him being labelled the left’s Nigel Farage.
But unlike Farage, who has dealt with public attention for decades, Polanski’s background is less well known and he was thrust into the spotlight only by last year’s leadership win.
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