Reform UK Expels Sunderland Councillor Glenn Gibbins After Conviction Over Offensive Post About Nigerians

Reform UK has expelled Sunderland City Councillor Glenn Gibbins after he was convicted of sending a grossly offensive social media message about Nigerians living in the English city. The 66 year old councillor was found guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 9, over a Facebook post he published in March 2024, suggesting that Nigerians in Sunderland should be melted down and used to fill potholes. The post was made two years before he was elected to represent the Hylton Castle ward on Sunderland City Council.

During the trial, Gibbins admitted making the post but maintained that it was intended as a tongue-in-cheek joke and was never meant to be taken literally. He told the court that he had previously interacted with some Nigerians at his business stall and described their conversations as friendly banter. He also said he had seen a similar joke online and decided to reproduce it on his Facebook profile.

However, District Judge Zoe Passfield rejected his explanation, ruling that the message was grossly offensive and dehumanising towards the Nigerian community. She said the post reduced Nigerians to the status of an inanimate material that could be used for road repairs. The judge also considered his right to freedom of expression but concluded that the message was not a genuine expression of political opinion.

Gibbins was sentenced to a 12 month community order, including 150 hours of unpaid work. He was spared imprisonment, with the court taking into account his lack of previous convictions and the fact that he had not committed further offences since publishing the message. His legal team has indicated plans to appeal the conviction at the Crown Court.

The case attracted significant attention from Nigerians in Sunderland. Community leader Godwin Ejeh told the court that the message had caused distress among Nigerian residents, including concerns about their safety and that of their children. He also described efforts by members of the community to seek an apology from the councillor.

Following the conviction, Reform UK confirmed on Wednesday, November 11, that Gibbins had been expelled from the party. The party had previously suspended him after the post emerged during the period surrounding his election, but later reinstated him before suspending him again after he was charged.

The development has also raised questions about his future as a Sunderland councillor. His sentence does not automatically disqualify him from holding local council office under the relevant rules, which generally require a custodial sentence of at least three months for disqualification. Sunderland City Council had been contacted for clarification on whether he would resign or remain in his position.

The conviction has renewed discussions about racism, public responsibility and the impact of dehumanising language on minority communities. Although Gibbins maintains that he intended the post as a joke and plans to challenge the verdict, the court has ruled that the message crossed the legal threshold for a grossly offensive communication.