- UK councillor Glenn Gibbins has been charged under the Communications Act over an alleged offensive social media post targeting Nigerians.
- The case is due in court on August 21, while the development has sparked widespread reactions online.
A Reform UK councillor, Glenn Gibbins, has been charged under the UK’s Communications Act 2003 over an alleged offensive social media post targeting Nigerians.
According to Northumbria Police, the 66-year-old councillor from the Sunderland area was charged following an investigation into a post he made in 2024, which read: “Carnt believe amount of nigerians in town…..should m+lt them all down and fill in the pot h%les!!”
Police said the post was reported in May, prompting an investigation. A case file was subsequently submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.
Gibbins was initially suspended by Reform UK while the matter was under investigation but was later reinstated after receiving a final written warning from the party.
Northumbria Police has urged the public not to speculate about the case online or offline, as legal proceedings are ongoing.
The councillor is scheduled to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on August 21.
Reacting to the development, a Reform UK spokesperson said the party is aware of the case and will monitor the outcome of the court proceedings.
Social media reactions
@NannaBryceOmatsola: “I like countries where law works. If na Nigeria, police go turn spokesperson for am.. saying trash like, he was joking.”
@KingsEze: “Nigerians, including the elite politicians are rejoicing now because they’ve seen a system where things work for them but down here within us, nobody is held accountable for anything. You’re only held accountable if you refuse to join the ‘moving train’. If you know, you know!”
@LovetteIkubor: “Is it safe to say that, Nigerians are endangered species all around the world?”
@OmaGoodie: “A functional system where people are actually held accountable for their actions. If a councilor down here should say something bout any tribe, nobody will hold him/her accountable, instead his/her tribe’s people will solidly support them.”
@RuthKen: “A Nigerian lady might have shattered his heart, who knows?”
@CallhimPopeTrayson: “Mess up ooo. Mess up! 😂 Omo which kian see finish be this wan.”
@JackNsikak: “Nice one UK👍.”
@RemoteJobsToday247: “lol what happened to freedom of speech.”
@IbrahimMuhammedAbubakar: “You pick the wrong people, Councillor. You go tire for Nigerians matter soon, even when you’re not ready for wahala. Ask around, you’d understand better.”
