Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Reform UK councillor in Sunderland has been formally charged by Northumbria Police over a social media post from 2024 that made a derogatory reference to the Nigerian community, with the now-deleted comment suggesting that Nigerians should be "melted down" to fill potholes. Glenn Gibbins, the 66-year-old councillor for Sunderland City Council's Hylton Castle ward, was charged on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, under Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, which criminalises the sending of grossly offensive or indecent messages via a public electronic communications network.
The post at the centre of the charge read: "Carnt believe amount of nigerians in town…..should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!". The comment, which was originally posted in 2024, was deleted but resurfaced following Gibbins' election to the council on May 7, 2026, when he secured 1,295 votes to win the Hylton Castle ward. Northumbria Police confirmed that they received a report about the post in May 2026 and subsequently launched an investigation. The force submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.
Following the emergence of the post, Gibbins was suspended by Reform UK pending an internal investigation. In June 2026, he was readmitted to the party and issued with a final written warning. However, the police investigation continued, culminating in the charge announced on July 29. A Reform UK spokesman said: "The party is aware of the situation involving Councillor Gibbins. We will monitor the verdict closely".
Gibbins, who is from the Sunderland area, is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on August 21, 2026. A Northumbria Police spokesperson urged the public not to speculate on the case while legal proceedings are ongoing. "We are aware there has already been significant interest in relation to this individual and the social media post," the spokesperson said. "We would urge people not to speculate both online and in the community in relation to this case".
The charge has drawn political attention, with Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson calling on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to explain why Gibbins was reinstated after the internal disciplinary process. Gibbins was one of more than 1,400 Reform UK councillors elected across England in May, as Nigel Farage's party took control of 14 councils, including Sunderland.
Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to send a message that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. The offence carries a maximum penalty of six months' imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction. The case against Gibbins will be closely watched as a test of how UK authorities handle racially offensive content posted on social media by elected officials, particularly in an era of heightened political polarisation and debates over online hate speech.
The Nigerian community in Sunderland and across the UK has reacted with a mixture of outrage and relief that the case has reached the courts. While some have welcomed the police action as a necessary step against racism, others have expressed concern that such views remain prevalent in public life. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of internal party disciplinary processes, given that Gibbins was reinstated by Reform UK before the police charge was authorised. As the legal process unfolds, the spotlight will remain on both the councillor's conduct and the broader issue of accountability for racially charged speech in British politics.
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