Sunderland City Council's Reform UK councillor Glenn Gibbins has been charged with posting a grossly offensive comment on social media, Northumbria Police have confirmed.
The charge, brought under the Communications Act 2003, relates to a post from 2024 referencing the city's Nigerian community.
Gibbins, 66, from the Sunderland area, was elected to represent the Hylton Castle ward in May 2026. He was previously investigated by Reform UK over the post and issued a final written warning before being reinstated to the party in June.
Police said they received a report about the post in May, launched an investigation, and referred the case to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charge.
Northumbria Police noted significant public interest in the case and urged people not to speculate online or locally.
Gibbins is due before South Tyneside Magistrates' Court next month.
A Reform UK spokesman said: ‘The party is aware of the situation involving Councillor Gibbins. We will monitor the verdict closely.’
