Story perspectives

Reform UK Wins Seats Amid Racist Post Scandal

5/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Reform UK won council seats in several English regions after a Mirror-Hope Not Hate probe uncovered alleged racist posts by candidates.
The party suspended councillor Glen Gibbins after the allegations surfaced.
Party leader Richard Tice condemned wrongdoing but said voters chose Reform despite allegations.
Spokesman and Deputy leader Darren Grimes called the posts grotesque, urged expulsions, admitted a vetting lapse, said investigations into Stuart Prior’s and Jay Leslie Cooper’s posts.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 the BNP captured two Burnley council seats, echoing its earlier breakthrough when it first won a council seat in Millwall in 1993 and three Burnley seats in 2002 after the 2001 Oldham riots. The party’s immigration-focused surge lifted its national vote to 6.26% in the 2009 European election, prompting stricter vetting that now also targets Reform UK’s recent council gains.

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Story summary

Reform UK won council seats in several English regions after a Mirror-Hope Not Hate probe uncovered alleged racist posts by candidates.
The party suspended councillor Glen Gibbins after the allegations surfaced.
Party leader Richard Tice condemned wrongdoing but said voters chose Reform despite allegations.
Spokesman and Deputy leader Darren Grimes called the posts grotesque, urged expulsions, admitted a vetting lapse, said investigations into Stuart Prior’s and Jay Leslie Cooper’s posts.

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