A suspended Reform UK councillor has been found guilty of a malicious communication after posting that Nigerians should be 'melted down' to fill in potholes. Glenn Gibbins was convicted two years before he was elected as a councillor for Hylton Castle Ward in Sunderland in early May.
Social Media Posts
In now-deleted posts, Gibbins ranted on social media that he 'carnt [sic] believe amount of Nigerians in town' and that they 'should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes'. He was suspended by Reform UK after the post came to light.
Gibbins told a court his post was 'naughty', but he did not mean it literally. He argued the post was not grossly offensive.
Prosecution Argument
Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said: 'The comment about melting them down conjures up despicable images.' She said it implied that Nigerians were 'somewhat less than human, stripping people in that group of humanity'.
The conviction relates to the malicious communication offence, which was committed before Gibbins took up his council seat. The case highlights the legal consequences of offensive social media posts by elected officials.
