A Reform UK councillor has been charged with sending a grossly offensive message on social media after an alleged racist slur about Nigerians.
Northumbria police said Glenn Gibbins, of Sunderland city council, has been charged with the offence under the Communications Act 2003.
The force stated the prosecution related to a post in 2024 about the Nigerian community, writes The Guardian UK.
The post was reported in May – the month Gibbins was elected – and an inquiry was initiated before the Crown Prosecution Service authorised a charge.
The 66-year-old, of Sunderland, is expected to appear before South Tyneside magistrates court on August 21.
A Northumbria police spokesperson said: “We know there has been a lot of interest already in relation to this person and the social media post. “We would ask people to avoid speculation online and in the community in connection with this case.”
Gibbins was among more than 1,400 Reform UK councillors elected across England in May as Nigel Farage’s party won control of 14 councils, including Sunderland, Barnsley, St Helens and Thurrock.
The chair of the Labour party, Bridget Phillipson, challenged Farage to explain why Gibbins was reinstated after an internal disciplinary process.
“Nigel Farage has to urgently explain why he welcomed Glenn Gibbins back into Reform as recently as last month,” Phillipson remarked.
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