Nigel Farage accused of sinking to ‘new low’ after reinstating Reform councillor behind racist social media post
Nigel Farage has been accused of falling to a “new low” after the Reform UK councilor, who is under investigation following allegations of racist social media activities, was reinstated by the party.
Glenn Gibbins, who was elected to Sunderland City Council in May, was suspended from the party shortly after his election after he was accused of posting racist comments online about the city’s Nigerian community.
In March 2024, Mr. Gibbins posted online: “Carnt [sic] Believe me, the number of Nigerians in the city… they should melt them all down and fill the potholes!!”
A spokesman for Reform UK said: “Following an internal disciplinary process, Major Gibbins was readmitted to the party and received a final written warning. He apologized for making the post and accepted that it was made in extremely poor taste and poor judgement.”
Labor leader Anna Turley said: “Nigel Farage has hit a new low. On the day he shrugged off Robert Kenyon’s vile sexist and offensive comments, Reformation turned a blind eye to blatant racism.”
“Anyone who makes such disgusting comments is unfit to serve the public; shamefully Nigel Farage clearly thinks this is not the case. He must reverse this decision and prove there is no place for racism in Reformation UK.”
In May Mr Gibbins told the local newspaper: ChronicleLive He said his posts at the time were “meant in jest” and were “made in extremely bad taste and poor judgement”.
“I am fully aware that these comments were completely inappropriate and I sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been offended by them,” he added.
His original post was deleted after it was first reported by campaign group Hope Not Hate.
The council member, who has been serving as an independent since the day he was elected, was also accused of misogyny in his previous duties. According to Hope Not Hate’s findings, Mr Gibbins posted in 2023 that women living in Sunderland “120 years ago…were charging people money just to see how fat they were.”
Ms Turley added: “The risk of reform could not be clearer. While Nigel Farage has led his party and politics into a tailspin, Labor will always stand firm against racism and continue to work every day to bring communities together.”
Independent He attempted to contact Mr Gibbins for comment.
