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Zack Polanski did not vote for his own party in the local elections, despite earlier saying he had. The former hypnotherapist attracted ridicule from his election rivals with the admission, with critics saying that "even Zack Polanski can't bring himself to vote for the Green Party".

He previously told Zoe Garbett, who at the time served alongside him as a London Assembly Member, "you have my vote" in her race to become Mayor of Hackney. She went on to secure the seat for the Greens, defeating Labour by a large margin, but did so without her boss casting a ballot for her. A national newspaper asked the party whether he registered to vote in those elections, but a spokesman confirmed he had not because of fears for his safety.

"One consequence of the heightened intrusion and safety risk he faces was that Zack did not register to vote in the most recent local elections," a spokesman said.

The party claimed that Mr Polanski has faced "extreme and distressing press intrusion" since he stormed the leadership, including "antisemitic cartoons" and journalists "doorstepping family members".

They also said he was talking to the police and local authorities about registering anonymously, despite the fact that anyone can ask to have their name removed from the public register by contacting their local council.

Reform UK and the Conservative Party both taunted the Green leader, saying that he could not bring himself to vote for his own party.

Speaking to The Times, the spokesman also confirmed that Mr Polanski had lived on a houseboat in east London for "just under four years" and was seeking "clarity" over whether council tax was owed on the mooring, adding that he had committed to paying any money due immediately.

On Tuesday, Waltham Forest council confirmed it was investigating the case. "We are making assessments and taking legal advice on several complex factors unique to moorings at Springfield Marina, which is located in the Lee Valley Park," the council said.

"For residential moorings in the marina, a statutory exemption for council tax would apply. However, we understand these are not residential moorings.

"We are working with Mr Polanski's team to establish the full picture, at which point we will be able to determine whether or not there is any council tax owed to Waltham Forest."