Reform UK councillor in Sunderland handed community order after racist ‘joke’ about Nigerians

Glenn Gibbins sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work by South Tyneside magistrates over 2024 Facebook post

A Reform party councillor who claimed racist comments about Nigerians were no more than a “bit of fun” has been handed a community order for posting grossly offensive material.

Glenn Gibbins, who was voted on to Sunderland council in May, wrote on Facebook in March 2024: “Carnt believe the amount of nigerians in town … should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!”

At a trial before a district judge on Monday, Gibbins, 66, said it was meant to be no more than “cheeky”, “naughty” and “tongue in cheek”. He said the post was not meant to be taken literally. “It was just a bit of fun.”