A Reform UK councillor, Glenn Gibbins, has been charged over an allegedly offensive social media post referencing the Nigerian community.
Northumbria Police said the 66-year-old was charged under the UK’s Communications Act 2003 in connection with a post he made in 2024.
According to reports, Gibbins was previously investigated by Reform UK over the post and issued a final written warning. He was also suspended by the party before later being reinstated.
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!!”
Police said they were first alerted to the post in May and subsequently launched an investigation before submitting a file to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.
