A councillor elected under the Reform UK party in the United Kingdom has been suspended after offensive social media posts targeting Nigerians triggered widespread condemnation.
Glenn Gibbins, who secured a seat on Sunderland City Council representing the Hylton Castle ward during the May 7 to 8, 2026 local elections, came under scrutiny after past Facebook posts resurfaced online.
In one of the posts dated March 2024, Gibbins wrote: “Carnt believe amount of nigerians in town…..should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!”
The comment, in which he complained about what he described as the presence of “too many Nigerians,” sparked outrage for its dehumanising tone.
The remarks were widely criticised as racist and offensive, with many condemning the language used to describe Nigerian residents.
Following the backlash, Reform UK announced Gibbins’ suspension pending an investigation into the matter.
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Darren Grimes, deputy leader of Durham County Council and a prominent figure within the party, confirmed the action during an appearance on BBC’s Politics North.
He described the allegations as “very serious” and admitted that the situation reflected a “failure of the vetting process.”
The controversy also drew attention to the party’s leadership response, with Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice initially criticised for appearing to downplay the issue during a BBC interview, where he characterised media coverage as “smearing and sneering” while highlighting the party’s electoral gains.
He later clarified his position, stating that he condemns anything “wrong and inappropriate.”
The incident has reignited conversations about racism and anti-African sentiment within sections of British society and politics.
Nigerians remain one of the most prominent immigrant communities in the United Kingdom, with contributions spanning healthcare, education, business, and public service.