Reform councillor faces calls to resign over ‘racist’ blackface photograph

A Reform UK councillor is facing calls to resign after a photo emerged appearing to show him in blackface makeup in what he described as a tribute to Jamaican singer Bob Marley.

The image, shared by Geoff Shaw in 2017, was branded as “racist” by a resident who discovered it on his Facebook page and reported it to Epping Forest District Council.

Mr Shaw has since deleted the image, but shrugged off the complaint, telling Everything Epping Forest that the resident “should not have been so nosey”.

Epping Mayor Razia Sharif told The Independent that the image “falls significantly short” of the standards expected from an elected councillor.

She said she can understand why “many residents believe it warrants resignation”.

The mayor added: “This isn’t simply about a photograph from years ago, it’s about whether someone seeking to represent a diverse community understands the standards that public office demands.

“Public office is a privilege, not an entitlement. Residents have every right to expect better judgement from those who represent them. Based on what has been reported, I believe Councillor Shaw should resign.

“The history of blackface isn’t ambiguous and it’s not a matter of political opinion. It’s rooted in racist caricatures that demeaned and mocked Black people, which is why many people rightly find such imagery deeply offensive.”

Mr Shaw, who represents Theydon Bois with Passingford, said he was “surprised” by the reaction to the photo, which was reportedly taken at his son’s birthday party.

“The theme was musical stars – and having had some very enjoyable holidays in Jamaica where Bob Marley is a legend, the only choice for me was to compliment him,” he told Everything Epping Forest.

The resident who reported the photo told the local news site it was “clearly racist”.

Mr Shaw did not respond to questions from The Independent.

Tory Epping Forest councillor Holly Whitbread condemned Mr Shaw’s “disgusting behaviour” and joined calls for him to resign. “This raises yet more serious questions about Reform UK’s vetting process… or lack of one,” she wrote on X.

Mr Shaw is the second Reform councillor to come under fire this month for wearing blackface makeup.

Councillor Derek Wunderley, who was elected to Bolton Council in May, has also faced backlash for a photo of him in blackface, which was posted in 2020 but taken around 40 years ago.

Mr Wunderley apologised for the photo and said he was dressing up as an act in pop group The Drifters.

“I want to get clear that I recognise that aspects of this are now not appropriate by today’s standards and it is not something I would support or be involved in now,” he said.

“I feel saddened that a historic search has been carried out to try and find fault and taken out of context as to what it was all in an attempt to stop the good work currently being undertaken.”

Reform UK did not respond to questions from The Independent, however, its leader, Nigel Farage, has criticised the use of blackface in the past.

Last year, he demanded an apology from the BBC over its Black and White Minstrels show, which aired from 1958 to 1978 and showed actors and singers performing in blackface.

He accused the broadcaster of hypocrisy after it asked him about allegations from schoolmates he had made racist comments as a teenager.

Mr Farage told a press conference: “At the time I was alleged to have made these remarks, one of your most popular weekly shows was the Black and White Minstrel Show.

“So I want an apology from the BBC for virtually everything you did throughout the 1970s and 80s.”

An Epping Forest District Council spokesperson said: “Matters relating to complaints against members are considered by the Monitoring Officer in accordance with the Council’s Standards Arrangements. It is not appropriate to comment on any individual comments which might be received.”