Suspended Reform UK councillor convicted over post saying Nigerians should be 'melted down'

A suspended Reform UK councillor in England has been convicted over a social media post about Nigerians.
The case
Glenn Gibbins, 66, was found guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court of sending a malicious communication, according to reports on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. In a Facebook post, he had complained about the number of Nigerians in the town and said they should be melted down and used to fill potholes. He told the court on Monday that the post was 'naughty' but that he did not mean it literally. The prosecutor said the comment conjured up despicable images and implied that Nigerians were less than human.
How it came to light
The post was found by the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate when it reviewed Gibbins's social media after he was announced as a Reform UK candidate for Sunderland City Council. He was later suspended by the party.
Background
Reform UK is led by Nigel Farage. Nigerians make up one of the largest African communities in the UK.
- Gibbins was convicted of malicious communication.
- His post said Nigerians should be 'melted down'.
- He was suspended by Reform UK.
