A judge will decide whether a suspended Reform UK councillor's social media post suggesting Nigerians be melted down to fill potholes was a criminal offence. Sunderland City Councillor Glenn Gibbins, 66, denies posting a grossly offensive message on Facebook in March 2024, before he was elected.
Trial scheduled at magistrates' court
Gibbins, who was elected to the council in May this year, was suspended by Reform after allegations he had complained on social media about the "amount of Nigerians in town" and said in a later-deleted post: "Should melt them all down and fill in the potholes!!"
At South Tyneside Magistrates' Court earlier this year, District Judge Zoe Passfield said: "The issue is very straightforward, was the message offensive, which Mr Gibbins agrees it was, or was it grossly offensive?"
Freedom of expression considered
Referring to Article 10 of the Human Rights Act for the Right to Freedom of Expression, the judge added: "Was it sufficiently offensive to override his Article 10 rights?"
Northumbria Police investigated after the post emerged in May and announced in June that he had been charged with an offence under the Communications Act 2003 for a post which referenced the Nigerian community.
Councillor suspended pending outcome
A three-hour trial is scheduled to start today (Monday) at the same court, and the councillor was granted unconditional bail.
A Reform spokesperson said: "Cllr Gibbins has been suspended from Reform UK pending the outcome of his case." Gibbins is listed on the Sunderland City Council website as an Independent Cllr.
