A UK court has convicted a suspended Reform UK councillor, Glenn Gibbins, over a Facebook post in which he suggested that Nigerians living in Sunderland should be “melted down” and used to fill potholes.
Gibbins, 66, was found guilty of sending a grossly offensive communication following a trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 9, 2026.
The case relates to a Facebook comment he published in March 2024, which read: “Can’t believe amount of Nigerians in town….. should melt them all down and fill in the potholes!!”
The post attracted renewed attention in May 2026 after anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate reviewed Gibbins’ social media activity ahead of his election to Sunderland City Council.
During the trial, Gibbins admitted making the comment but argued that it was intended as a joke and was not meant to be taken seriously. He told the court that he had consumed a couple of cans of beer before posting it.
However, District Judge Zoe Passfield rejected his explanation, ruling that the message was grossly offensive, dehumanising and specifically directed at Nigerians living in Sunderland.
The court sentenced Gibbins to a 12-month community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work. He was not given a prison sentence.
His legal team has indicated that he intends to challenge the conviction at the Crown Court.
The prosecution followed complaints and an investigation by Northumbria Police after the Facebook post became public.
Giving evidence during the proceedings, Nigerian community leader Godwin Ejeh told the court that the comment caused considerable distress among Nigerians in Sunderland. He said some members of the community became concerned about their safety and the welfare of their children.
Gibbins had previously been suspended by Reform UK over the post. However, the party later reinstated him following an internal disciplinary process and issued him a final written warning.
The conviction has brought renewed attention to concerns about racist statements on social media and the effect of inflammatory public comments on immigrant communities in the United Kingdom.
