Gibbins reportedly made the post in March 2024, writing: “Can’t believe amount of Nigerians in town... should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes.”
Politics UK reported on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, that Gibbins had been charged in connection with the post.
“ A Reform UK councillor in Sunderland has been charged with posting a grossly offensive comment after writing in 2024 that Nigerians should be melted down to fill in potholes,” Politics UK said in a post on X.
Gibbins was elected as a councillor during the local elections in May 2026. He was subsequently suspended by Reform UK over the controversial post.
However, he was reinstated in June following an internal disciplinary process after apologising for the remark and receiving a final written warning from the party.
Reform UK said Gibbins had “apologised for making the post and accepts that it was made in extremely poor taste showing poor judgement”.
According to Politics UK, Northumbria Police confirmed that Gibbins had been charged under the Communications Act 2003 over an allegedly grossly offensive message.
He is expected to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on August 21, 2026.
A Reform UK spokesperson said the party was aware of the case and would monitor the outcome.
“The party is aware of the situation involving Cllr Gibbins. We will monitor the verdict closely,” the spokesperson said.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!