UK Politician Who Said Nigerians Should Be “Melted Down to Fill in the Pot Holes” Wins Council Seat

A Reform UK candidate who previously posted racist and misogynistic remarks online has been elected as a councillor in the United Kingdom.

Glenn Gibbins secured a seat representing Hylton Castle ward in Sunderland during Thursday’s local council elections, which covered more than 5,000 council positions across England.

Gibbins had faced criticism over a series of social media posts, some of which were later deleted. In one post, he wrote that he “carnt [sic] believe the amount of Nigerians in town” and said they “should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes”.

He also made derogatory remarks about women and television presenters. In another post, he described Mel and Sue as the “unfunniest fat repulsive lesbian hosts ever”.

His comments extended to sports broadcasting. During the 2021 Ireland vs Japan rugby match, Gibbins complained about a female commentator, writing that there were “a hundred better male commentators” and adding that women should “stick to cooking, sewing, and homemaking”.

Other posts attributed to him targeted migrants and Muslims. In one, he described boat migrants as “an army of Muslims who will in time turn on us”. Another read: “OUR TOLERANCE IS The MUSLIMS GREATEST WEAPON.”

Gibbins also made insulting remarks about women in Sunderland, mocking their appearance and weight.

The election comes amid increased scrutiny of candidates’ online activity and public statements during local campaigns in the UK.