Reform Councillor Glenn Gibbins Suspended Following Allegations of Racist Social Media Posts

Glenn Gibbins was elected to represent the Hylton Castle ward on Sunderland City Council on Thursday when Reform took control of the local authority.

He is accused of posting racist comments online, which suggested the Nigerian population in Sunderland should be melted down to "fill in potholes".

On Sunday, deputy leader of Durham County Council Darren Grimes said Gibbins had been suspended, but Reform later said it was not correct and he was under investigation. The party has since confirmed the suspension.

As reported by Hope Not Hate, the now-deleted post made by Gibbins, who also appeared as Gibbons in some party material, is believed to be from March 2024.

Sunderland City Council said newly elected councillors were required to formally accept the role which meant they would have to comply with a code of conduct when acting in an official capacity.

Those newly elected have two months from date of election to formally accept office. Gibbins has yet to accept the role as of 15:00 BST, the council said.

Speaking on BBC's Politics North, Grimes said it had been "a failure of the vetting process".

On Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, deputy leader of the party Richard Tice refused to directly address the matter, but said he condemned "anything that is wrong and inappropriate".

He added: "The key point is voters have heard all of this smearing and sneering against all of us and they voted for more Reform because they want action, they want delivery, they're sick of the failures of the Tories and Labour."