Reform suspends councillor charged over grossly offensive social media post about Nigerians

Reform has suspended a councillor pending the outcome of legal proceedings after he was charged over a grossly offensive comment on social media regarding Nigerians.

Sunderland City Councillor Glenn Gibbins, 66, is scheduled to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with an alleged Facebook post from 2024.

Last month, Northumbria Police announced that he had been charged with an offence under the Communications Act 2003 regarding a post referencing the Nigerian community.

An investigation was initially launched when the online post was uncovered in May.

Gibbins was elected to the council in May, suspended by Reform, and subsequently reinstated with a final written warning, according to reports.

Following the formal charge, the party suspended him once again, and he is now listed on the Sunderland City Council website as an Independent.

A Reform spokesperson said: “Cllr Gibbins has been suspended from Reform UK pending the outcome of his case.”

After Gibbins was election to the council back in May, Reform faced criticism for failing to “call out clear racism”.

Just days after the local elections, Reform deputy leader Richard Tice refused to directly criticise Mr Gibbins, instead accusing the media of “smearing” Nigel Farage’s party.

When pressed on whether he was comfortable with such views representing the party, Mr Tice told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “This weekend we are celebrating our incredible successes. Like any party, we have internal party processes to look where people have said or done the wrong thing.”

He added: “I condemn everything that is wrong and inappropriate. Voters have heard all of this smearing and this sneering against all of us, and they have voted for more Reform.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, appearing on the same programme, described the incident as an example of “the kind of racism and division” Reform introduces into politics.

A Labour Party spokesperson went further, stating: “It’s utterly grotesque that Reform can’t even call out clear racism. It speaks volumes that Richard Tice tried to brush off these comments. And it speaks volumes that Nigel Farage refused to sack him as a candidate and is now happy to have him represent Reform as a councillor.

“They’re both a disgrace. Labour is the only party that will stand up to the division of Reform.”