Sunderland City Councillor Glenn Gibbins has been suspended by Reform UK pending the outcome of a court case after he was charged with making a grossly offensive comment on social media about Nigerians.
Court appearance scheduled
The 66-year-old councillor will appear at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court in South Shields, South Tyneside, on Friday. He has been charged with posting a grossly offensive comment on social media, relating to an alleged Facebook post from 2024 that referenced the Nigerian community.
Police investigation and party response
Northumbria Police announced last month that Gibbins had been charged with an offence under the Communications Act 2003. The force began an investigation when the post came to light in May this year.
Gibbins was elected to the council in May, was suspended by Reform, then reinstated with a final written warning. After he was charged, the party suspended him again. He is listed on the Sunderland City Council website as an Independent.
A Reform spokesperson said: "Cllr Gibbins has been suspended from Reform UK pending the outcome of his case."
