Full Breakdown
Reform UK Councillor Suspended After Racist Post Targeting Nigerians
5/13/2026, 4:43:17 AM
The Incident and Immediate Party Action
In the May 2026 local elections, Glenn Gibbins won the Hylton Castle ward seat on Sunderland City Council for Reform UK. A March 2024 social-media post resurfaced in which Gibbins wrote, “Carnt believe amount of nigerians in town…..should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!”. The post, uncovered by anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate, prompted Reform UK to suspend Gibbins pending an internal investigation. Because English law provides no recall mechanism for local councillors, Gibbins will continue to sit as an independent councillor until the inquiry concludes.
Background and Pattern of Controversy
Gibbins’ comment is part of a broader series of offensive online statements linked to Reform UK candidates. In Bradford, Daniel Devaney described Muslims as “pure scum”; in Essex, Stuart Prior was accused of using “master race” language; and Jay Leslie Cooper allegedly called the Holocaust a “hoax”. Hope Not Hate’s joint probe identified these posts during the same election cycle, raising questions about the party’s candidate-vetting procedures.
Responses and Criticism
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said the party condemns wrongdoing and inappropriate behaviour, and that the matter would be handled through internal processes. The party announced Gibbins’ suspension and pledged to act on the allegations. Labour Party spokesperson condemned the incident as grotesque and said Reform UK failed to call out clear racism. Education Minister Bridget Phillipson said the case exemplified the racism and division being introduced into British politics by Reform UK. Hope Not Hate demanded swift expulsion and described the posts as horrifically racist. Social-media commentators labelled Tice’s handling a disgrace and called for broader accountability.
Data & Statistics
- Election: May 2026 local elections.
- Ward: Hylton Castle, Sunderland.
- Documented racist posts by Reform UK councillors: at least four (Gibbins, Devaney, Prior, Cooper).
- No statutory recall mechanism exists for English local councillors.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Tice condemned “anything that is wrong and inappropriate,” he stopped short of explicitly branding Gibbins’ post as wrong, creating ambiguity about the party’s official stance. The timeline and possible disciplinary outcomes of the internal investigation have not been disclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Carnt believe amount of nigerians in town…..should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!” — Glenn Gibbins, 2024 social-media post
- “I condemn anything that is wrong and inappropriate.” — Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader
- “It’s utterly grotesque that Reform can’t even call out clear racism.” — Labour Party spokesperson
What’s Next
The party has pledged to finish its internal inquiry and to take appropriate disciplinary action. The case has reignited discussion about Reform UK’s vetting process and highlighted the absence of a statutory recall mechanism for local councillors.
