Reform councillor charged over ‘grossly offensive’ tweet about Sunderland’s Nigerian community
Reform suspended Gibbins and reinstated him to the party after an internal investigation
Police have charged Reform councillor Glenn Gibbons with posting “a grossly offensive” comment on social media about the Nigerian population, which he later deleted.
Reform suspended Gibbins from the party pending an investigation days after he was elected as a Sunderland city councillor on 7 May.
In June, Reform allowed Gibbins back into the party.
Gibbins has been charged with an offence under the offence under the Communications Act 2003.
Northumbria police said the charge was in relation to a post from 2024 which referenced the Nigerian community.
Gibbons is due to appear before South Tyneside magistrates court on 21 August.
A Northumbria police spokesperson said: “We are aware there has already been significant interest in relation to this individual and the social media post. We would urge people not to speculate both online and in the community in relation to this case.”
The chair of the Labour party, Bridget Phillipson, called on Farage to explain why Gibbins was reinstated after an internal disciplinary process.
Phillipson told The Guardian: “Nigel Farage needs to urgently explain why he welcomed Glenn Gibbins back into Reform just last month.”
Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward
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