NewsBeat
Reform suspends councillor charged over grossly offensive social media post about Nigerians
Reform has suspended a councillor pending the outcome of legal proceedings after he was charged over a grossly offensive comment on social media regarding Nigerians.
Sunderland City Councillor Glenn Gibbins, 66, is scheduled to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday in connection with an alleged Facebook post from 2024.
Last month, Northumbria Police announced that he had been charged with an offence under the Communications Act 2003 regarding a post referencing the Nigerian community.
An investigation was initially launched when the online post was uncovered in May.
According to reports, Gibbins was elected to the council in May, suspended by Reform, and subsequently reinstated with a final written warning.
Following the formal charge, the party suspended him once again, and he is now listed on the Sunderland City Council website as an Independent.
A Reform spokesperson said: “Cllr Gibbins has been suspended from Reform UK pending the outcome of his case.”
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