Green Candidate Accuses David Giles of Threatening to Kill Him

Tory activist strongly denies claims made by Rick Rowe

Left: Green candidate Rick Rowe. Right: Tory activist David Giles

May 1, 2026

A Green Party candidate in the Chiswick Riverside ward has reported to the police what he describes as a threat to kill made by a Conservative activist while he was out campaigning recently.

Rick Rowe, who is standing in the ward currently held by two Conservative councillors and one Labour councillor, says he was confronted by David Giles — a Conservative Party member and the father of incumbent Conservative councillor Gabriella Giles.

Mr Rowe alleges that Mr Giles called him and his volunteers "anti-Semitic" and "evil communists" before pointing at him and saying: "Your days are numbered, you're a marked man." In a signed witness statement provided to police, Mr Rowe said he interpreted those words as a direct threat and felt "shocked, frightened, and physically unsafe."

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of threats to kill. No arrest has been made.

Mr Rowe says the confrontation was not an isolated incident. He has also reported to police that dog faeces were left at his front door and thrown at his windows on the evening of the confrontation with Mr Giles, and that he and Green Party volunteers had Nazi abuse shouted at them during canvassing, including a Nazi salute and accusations of being "antisemitic scum." He says photographic and other evidence has been shared with police as part of what he describes as a pattern of intimidation.

"This is not normal politics," Mr Rowe said. "It is intimidation, and it has no place in public life. Elections should be about residents, public services, safer streets, cleaner air and the future of our communities. They should not be about fear."

An image submitted by Mr Rowe to the police showing Mr Giles leaving the scene after the altercation

David Giles has strongly denied the allegations. In a statement, he acknowledged there had been "a brief but heated exchange" in which he criticised the Green Party's record on antisemitism but said, "At no point did I threaten the candidate or campaigners." He added that Mr Rowe later returned to speak to him alone, and that again no threat was made. Mr Giles also categorically denied any involvement in the incidents at Mr Rowe's home, calling any targeting of a candidate's home "clearly unacceptable."

Cllr Peter Thompson, leader of the Conservative Group on Hounslow Council, said he had spoken to Mr Giles and noted his "clear and unequivocal denial." He added that no complaint about Mr Giles's conduct had been made to him or, to his knowledge, to the Conservative Party locally or nationally. "Of course, any allegation of this kind should be taken seriously, and will be looked into fully as soon as such a complaint is raised," he said. The Green Party says that it has now made an official complaint to the Conservative Party.

Cllr Thompson added later, "David has also made clear that any remark now being characterised as suggesting Mr Rowe was a 'marked man' was not intended as, and should not be interpreted as, a threat of violence. He says it was made in the context of an earlier political disagreement at a recent hustings event in Osterley and Spring Grove ward, during which Mr Rowe filmed Cllr Gabriella Giles. This was witnessed by several people who can testify that Mr Rowe behaved in an aggressive and confrontational manner to Gabriella. That context is plainly material to understanding the disputed phrase."

It is contended that the intention was to signify to Mr Rowe that he had been singled out or identified as a potential threat of future harm.

A spokesperson for the Green Party of England and Wales has said, “Having previously been in denial, David Giles appears to now be acknowledging he did use the phrase ‘marked man’, which we have always maintained was a threat to kill, something the Met Police are currently investigating. Candidates and volunteers from every party must be able to campaign safely and without fear. Threats, intimidation and abuse have no place in Chiswick, no place in Hounslow, and no place in our democracy.”

We put the suggestions of poor behaviour at the hustings meeting to Mr. Rowe and the Green Party Press Office but no direct response was received on this question. A spokesperson for OWGRA, which organised the event said that no 'unseemly conduct' was observed or reported by any of its committee members.

The Green Party of England and Wales issued a statement condemning the alleged behaviour of David Giles. "Threats, intimidation, harassment and racist abuse are an attack on democracy itself," a spokesperson said. "Candidates and volunteers from every party must be able to campaign freely and safely."

Hounslow Green Party said it would continue campaigning in Chiswick Riverside and called on all parties to publicly condemn intimidation and harassment during the election period. The police investigation is ongoing.

Chiswick Riverside is a ward to watch ahead of polling day. The Conservatives currently lead in projections, but Pollcheck currently shows The Greens, Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform competing closely for second place. Earlier polling that had shown the Greens neck and neck with the Conservatives leading to the ward being rated as ‘too close to call’ but the Greens appear to have a dip in support since then although they are still projected to take one of the three seats. It should be noted that these projections, which are based on third party polls and demographic information are highly speculative.