Reform UK councillor charged over alleged racist social media post
Sunderland city councillor Glenn Gibbins has been charged with posting a grossly offensive message on social media that allegedly contained racist comments about Nigerians.
A Reform UK councillor, Glenn Gibbins, who represents Sunderland in northern England, has been charged with posting a grossly offensive message on social media that allegedly contained a racist remark about Nigerians. Northumbria Police confirmed the charge under the Communications Act 2003. The post dated back to 2024, and the force was alerted to it in May, the same month Gibbins was elected. Following an investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charge.
The 66-year-old from Sunderland is scheduled to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on 21 August. A Northumbria Police spokesperson urged the public not to speculate about the case online or in the community.
Gibbins was among over 1,400 Reform UK councillors elected across England in May, as Nigel Farage's party took control of 14 councils, including Sunderland, Barnsley, St Helens, and Thurrock. Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson called on Farage to explain why Gibbins was reinstated after an internal disciplinary process. Phillipson stated that Farage must urgently clarify why he welcomed Gibbins back into Reform just last month.
