A friend of a Labour councillor who called for far-right protesters' throats to be cut claimed the language he used was 'completely out of character', a court has heard.
Ricky Jones, 58, appeared at an anti-racism rally last year in the wake of rioting following the Southport murders, where he described demonstrators as 'disgusting Nazi fascists', his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court was told.
A video of Jones addressing crowds in Walthamstow, east London, on August 7 last year, went viral on social media after the protest.
Wearing a black polo top and surrounded by cheering supporters, the now-suspended councillor said: 'They are disgusting Nazi fascists. We need to cut all their throats and get rid of them all.'
He also drew his finger across his throat as he spoke to the crowd.
