Sunderland's leading political figures slam Glenn Gibbins as a 'disgrace' and call for 'immediate resignation'

The city’s leading political figures have labelled suspended Reform UK councillor Glenn Gibbins behaviour a “disgrace” and have called for him to “resign immediately” after he was convicted yesterday at South Tyneside Magistrates Court of suggesting in a post on social media that Nigerians in the city should be melted down and used to fill potholes.

Gibbins, 66, was convicted of a malicious communication after a trial where he argued he was just making a “naughty”, tongue-in-cheek joke.

Following the conviction, Sunderland MP and Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson said: “Reform UK are drowning in sleaze and scandal. Time and again, they have shown they are not fit for office and they would take our country in a dangerous direction.”

Leader of Sunderland Conservatives, Antony Mullen added: “Reform must urgently confirm that they have kicked him out of the Council Group, as well as the party - and request his resignation from the Council.”

Washington MP Sharon Hodgson added: “Mr Gibbins' comments are offensive to so many in our community in Sunderland, and I’m glad that he has been held to account and convicted.

“It is clear that Mr Gibbins is not fit to represent the people of Hylton Castle ward, and he should resign as a councillor to make way for a candidate who will champion their community, not divide it.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Sunderland’s Lib Dem leader, Cllr Paul Edgeworth who said: “Once again Reform UK are putting Sunderland into the national headlines for all the wrong reasons.

“Sunderland is an open, tolerant and united city where everyone is welcome – whether you’re born here or whether you’ve chosen to make Wearside your home. Glen Gibbins must immediately and finally do the decent thing and resign.”

Gibbins made the post in March 2024, two years before he was elected, but it was exposed when the group Hope Not Hate went through his social media before the local elections.

Following local elections on May 7, Gibbins was suspended from Reform UK while the party carried out an investigation. In June, Reform UK confirmed Cllr Gibbins was reinstated in the party and free to take up his role as Hylton Castle ward councillor after apologising for the post.

After being charged by Northumbria Police, a Reform spokesperson confirmed “Cllr Gibbins has been suspended from Reform UK pending the outcome of his case”.

Member of Parliament for Houghton and Sunderland South, Ms Phillipson said: “Acknowledging this isn't a matter of party politics, it's about basic decency. Reform knew Gibbins had made these comments, but they allowed him to represent Sunderland.”

A spokesperson for Sunderland Labour Group added: “Cllr Gibbins’ disgraceful behaviour is unbecoming of a councillor and after today's verdict he should resign immediately.

“Our city has always been a tolerant, welcoming place which doesn't tolerate racism. There are now bigger questions to answer for the Reform Leadership of our council.

“How much did they know, when, and will they now finally clarify publicly Cllr Gibbins status in regards to their group?”

District Judge Zoe Passfield sentenced him to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work, having assessed that the post was not just offensive, but was grossly so.

According to the UK Parliament website, if a councillor has been convicted of criminal offences and receives a jail sentence - whether suspended or not - of three months or more, they are disqualified from either standing for or holding office as a local authority member for a period of five years.

Gibbins’s sentence falls significantly below this threshold and would not prohibit him from serving as a councillor.

Gibbins was found guilty after a three hour trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Christopher Atkinson from Crown Prosecution Service North East said: “Racially charged and grossly offensive comments like this cross the line between free speech and criminal behaviour. They can be particularly upsetting and dehumanising for those in affected communities.

“I would remind anyone using social media that grossly offensive commentary of the type used by Glenn Gibbins is a criminal offence, and those posting similar material could face prosecution as a result of their actions.”

We have contacted Reform UK Sunderland and Glenn Gibbins and are awaiting their response to the conviction.

Conviction thresholds for serving as a councillor

Strict conditions are stipulated as to whether an individual is deemed fit to stand as a local councillor.

If councillor has been convicted of criminal offences and receives a jail sentence (whether suspended or not) of three months or more, they are disqualified from either standing for or holding office as a local authority member for a period of five years.

The Local Government (Disqualification) Act 2022 introduced a further disqualification of registered sex offenders who may not receive a custodial sentence.

Councillors must declare anything that might disqualify them from standing for or holding local office, not doing so is a criminal offence.