Ricky Jones, 57, was filmed addressing a crowd a demonstration in Walthamstow on Wednesday evening (August 7).
Jaswant Narwal, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London North, said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Ricky Jones, 57, with one count of encouraging violent disorder.
“Jones was filmed addressing a crowd in Walthamstow on Wednesday 7 August during which he appeared to make remarks and a gesture to encourage others to act violently towards far-right protestors.
“He has been arrested and charged within 48 hours, and will now appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this afternoon, 9 August 2024.
“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, who has been a councillor in Dartford, Kent, since 2019, has already been suspended by the Labour Party.
In reference to the video, a Labour spokesperson said: “This behaviour is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated.”
At least a dozen people were jailed on Thursday for their part in the riots of the past 10 days, with more expected to be sent to prison on Friday, including some on live television.
The Prime Minister addressed his third emergency Cobra meeting since the first riot in Southport on July 30 and after many planned protests failed to materialise on Wednesday night.
Sir Keir told the meeting that police need to remain on “high alert”, the PA news agency understands.
He is understood to have said there was no doubt that levels of policing in the right places and swift justice over the past week, including sentencing, have acted as a deterrent to disorder.
Earlier in the day he told reporters that Wednesday night’s events turned out “much better than was expected” and “anybody involving themselves in disorder, whatever they claim as their motive, will feel the full force of the law.
“It’s important I repeat that because we need to make sure that in the coming days we can give the necessary reassurance to our communities, many of whom – I’ve been talking to some this morning – are very anxious about the situation.”
