Judge to decide over councillor social media post

A judge will decide whether a suspended Reform UK councillor's post about Nigerians was simply "offensive" and protected by his right to freedom of expression or "grossly offensive".

Glenn Gibbins, 66, appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court in connection with a Facebook post from March 2024, before he was elected to Sunderland City Council.

Northumbria Police said Gibbins had been charged under the Communications Act 2003 with making an online post which referenced Nigerian people that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.

Gibbins, who was granted unconditional bail, denied the offence and will appear at the same court again for trial on 9 November.

He spoke only to confirm his name and address.

District judge Zoe Passfield said: "The issue is very straightforward, was the message offensive, which Mr Gibbins agrees it was, or was it grossly offensive?"

Referring to the right to freedom of expression, the judge added: "Was it sufficiently offensive to override his Article 10 rights?"

The councillor was suspended by Reform in May after the post came to light - the same month he was elected. He was then reinstated with a final written warning, and suspended again ahead of his court appearance.

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