Reform UK has suspended a newly elected councillor in the United Kingdom following backlash over alleged racist comments targeting Nigerians. Glenn Gibbins, who won the Hylton Castle seat on Sunderland City Council during the May 2026 local elections, faced scrutiny after old social media posts resurfaced online.
Controversial Remarks Spark Outrage
The controversy erupted days after Gibbins won his seat. According to the BBC, the suspended councillor was accused of making offensive remarks about Nigerians living in Sunderland in a post believed to have been published in March 2024. In the post, Gibbins complained about the “amount of Nigerians in town” and suggested authorities “should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!”
The remarks generated criticism from political observers and anti-racism groups. Reports also linked him to other comments targeting migrants, women, and local residents. Some posts allegedly described migrants as “an army of Muslims who will in time turn on us,” while others contained sexist remarks directed at female broadcasters and insults aimed at women in Sunderland.
Party Response and Vetting Concerns
Reform UK initially stated that Gibbins was under investigation before later confirming his suspension. Deputy leader Richard Tice addressed the controversy during an interview but stopped short of directly condemning the councillor’s comments. He said: “The key point is voters have heard all of this smearing and sneering against all of us and they voted for more Reform because they want action, they want delivery, they're sick of the failures of the Tories and Labour.”
Deputy leader of Durham County Council Darren Grimes described the situation as “a failure of the vetting process” while speaking during a television interview. Opponents of the party argued that the controversy raised concerns about candidate screening and political rhetoric surrounding immigration.
No Comment from Sunderland Council
Sunderland City Council has not publicly commented on the matter. The controversy comes as Reform UK secured control of Sunderland City Council, prompting questions about how the posts escaped scrutiny before Gibbins’ candidacy was approved.
Related Context: UK-Nigeria Educational Ties
In a separate development, Nigeria’s federal government moved to establish a local campus of Coventry University as part of a broader plan to widen access to internationally recognised degrees and reduce the financial burden of overseas study for Nigerian families. The initiative was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 18, by the Federal Ministry of Education, which said the proposal is being pursued through a Transnational Education partnership with the United Kingdom institution.
