Suspended Reform councillor found guilty over racist tweet about Nigerian community

A suspended Reform councillor has been found guilty of posting “a grossly offensive” comment about Nigerians on social media. 

In a post on 19 March 2024, suspended Reform councillor Glenn Gibbins wrote: “Carnt believe amount of Nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!”.

At a trial before a district judge on Monday, Gibbins said his comment was meant to be no more than “cheeky”, “naughty” and “tongue in cheek”. 

He added that the post was “just a bit of fun”. 

Prosecutor Emma Dowling said: “The comment about melting them down conjures up despicable images.”

She said it implied that Nigerians were “somewhat less than human, stripping people in that group of humanity”. 

Gibbins has now been sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work. 

It is unclear whether Reform will now expel him from the party altogether following the outcome of his court case. 

Reform suspended Gibbins shortly after he was elected onto the now Reform-run Sunderland City Council in May.

However, he was reinstated into the party in June with a final written warning on the basis that he apologised for making the post.

Nigel Farage’s party suspended Gibbins again when he was charged for the Facebook post under the Communications Act 2003.

Reform did not say exactly when it had suspended Gibbins again, and only that he had been suspended pending the outcome of his court case.

Reform has been approached for comment. 

Olivia Barber is a reporter at Left Foot Forward