Reform suspends councillor ahead of court case

Reform UK has suspended a councillor pending the outcome of an offensive message court case.

Last month, Sunderland City councillor Glenn Gibbins, 66, was charged with posting a grossly offensive comment on social media in connection to a comment referencing the Nigerian community.

The charge, under the Communications Act 2003, related to a post from 2024. Gibbins is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Friday.

A Reform spokesperson said: "Councillor Gibbins has been suspended from Reform UK pending the outcome of his case."

Northumbria Police began an investigation when the post came to light in May.

Gibbins was elected to the council that same month and was then suspended by Reform, before being reinstated with a final written warning.

After he was charged, the party suspended him again and he is listed on the Sunderland City Council website as an Independent.

Reform did not confirm when it had suspended the councillor, or the reason why.