UK councillor charged over alleged anti-Nigerian social media post
Sunderland Councillor Charged Over Alleged Offensive Social Media Post
Sunderland, England — Glenn Gibbins, a councillor representing the Reform UK party, has been charged in connection with an alleged social media post deemed “grossly offensive” by prosecutors. The charge comes under the UK’s Communications Act 2003 and follows an investigation into a post made in 2024.
In the controversial post, Gibbins allegedly suggested that Nigerians should be “melted down and used to fill potholes.” The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorized the charge after a thorough review of the evidence collected during the investigation. Gibbins is scheduled to appear in South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in August.
A spokesperson for the CPS confirmed the authorization of the charge, stating, “The Crown Prosecution Service has authorized a charge under the Communications Act 2003 in relation to an alleged grossly offensive social media post.”
Gibbins was elected as a Sunderland councillor in the May 2026 local elections while representing Reform UK, a right-wing populist political party. Following public outcry, the party suspended him while conducting an internal disciplinary process. He was reinstated in June after issuing an apology and receiving a final written warning. At that time, Reform UK acknowledged Gibbins’ admission of the post’s unacceptability.
The upcoming court proceedings will examine the allegations against Gibbins. Under UK law, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
