Suspended Sunderland Reform councillor found guilty over Facebook post

A Sunderland City councillor, Glenn Gibbins, has been found guilty of sending a malicious communication after he posted an offensive message targeting Nigerian people on Facebook. The 66-year-old, who had been suspended from Reform UK, denied violating the Communications Act over the post made in March 2024. The controversial comment was revealed following Gibbins’ election to represent the Hylton Castle ward in May 2026.

During the trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Zoe Passfield described the post as “nothing more and nothing less than a grossly offensive comment about members of the Nigerian community in Sunderland and Mr Gibbins’ views as to their status, or otherwise, as human beings.” Gibbins is due to be sentenced later, but has been informed that imprisonment will not be part of his penalty. His legal team intends to challenge the verdict on appeal.

Gibbins’ contentious Facebook post read: “Carnt believe the amount of nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!” Police became aware of the message after Gibbins’ election win. Prosecutor Emma Dowling argued the remark implied Nigerians were “somewhat less than human, stripping people in that group of humanity.” Sunderland’s Nigerian community was deeply affected, with community leader Godwin Ejeh testifying that he organized a protest outside City Hall during the councillor’s swearing-in ceremony, which Gibbins did not attend due to his suspension.

Gibbins defended his actions in court, saying the post was intended as a “tongue-in-cheek” joke and insisted that “no-one took it literally.” He explained the post followed a light-hearted interaction with Nigerians at his printing stall and claimed he shared the message after attempting unsuccessfully to re-post a similar comment he had seen on Facebook. Despite describing the post as “a bit naughty,” he stated, “I wouldn’t dream of joking about killing people.” The court heard that Gibbins had little political background before his brief period as a councillor, where he stated he enjoyed assisting residents before his suspension. However, the judge concluded the post was a deliberate and serious insult aimed at a specific ethnic group and was not protected political speech