Nigel Farage has been accused of sinking to a 'new low' after Reform UK reinstated a councillor who had been suspended over racist social media posts. Glenn Gibbins, elected to Sunderland City Council in May, was readmitted to the party following an internal disciplinary process and issued with a final written warning.
In March 2024, Gibbins posted online: 'Carnt [sic] believe amount of Nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!' The post was later deleted after being reported by campaign group Hope Not Hate. Gibbins described the comments as 'intended as jokes' and apologised, saying they were made in 'extremely poor taste'.
Anna Turley MP, Labour Party chair, criticised the decision, stating: 'Nigel Farage has sunk to a new low. On the same day he shrugged off vile sexist and offensive comments from Robert Kenyon, Reform has turned a blind eye to blatant racism.' She called on Farage to reverse the decision.
Gibbins had also faced allegations of misogyny over earlier posts, including a 2023 comment about women in Sunderland. He has sat as an independent since his election. Reform UK confirmed he had been readmitted with a final written warning after apologising.
