SNOW TV NEWS DESK
A former Reform UK councillor in Sunderland, England, has been convicted of malicious communication after publishing a disturbing Facebook post suggesting that Nigerians living in the town should be melted down and used to fill potholes.
Glenn Gibbins, 66, was found guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 9, 2026, following a case that has raised fresh concerns about anti-immigrant hostility, racism, and the responsibility of elected politicians when using social media.
The controversial post read, “Can’t believe the amount of Nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the potholes.”
Gibbins admitted making the comment but insisted that it was never intended to be taken literally. Describing it as a tongue-in-cheek joke, he told the court that he considered it “a bit naughty” but believed people would understand that melting human beings was an impossible scenario.
He explained that the post followed an interaction with some Nigerians who had approached his printing business in Sunderland city center to inquire about purchasing equipment. According to him, the encounter involved friendly banter, although he admitted that the conversation had left him somewhat frustrated.
He said he later saw a Facebook post about Nigerians, which he attempted to share. When that failed, he claimed he typed out the message himself and published it on his public profile after drinking a couple of cans of beer.
However, prosecutors argued that the language went far beyond an inappropriate joke.
Emma Dowling, prosecuting, told the court that the reference to melting Nigerians conjured up “despicable images” and portrayed members of the Nigerian community as less than human. She argued that the post was grossly offensive and intended to humiliate Nigerians living in Sunderland.
The post was reportedly uncovered by anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate while examining Gibbins’ social media activity after he was announced as a Reform UK candidate for Sunderland City Council. Police were subsequently informed after he won his council seat.
Judge Zoe Passfield, delivering the guilty verdict, said she had considered Gibbins’ right to freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights but concluded that the post was not a genuine expression of political opinion.
He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 150 hours of unpaid work. His legal team indicated that he intended to appeal the conviction at the Crown Court.
Beyond the courtroom, the case highlights an important issue in Britain’s increasingly heated immigration debate: the difference between exercising free speech and using language that strips an entire community of its humanity.
Calling for people to be melted down, regardless of whether it was intended as humor, is not simply an ordinary political disagreement. It targets people based on their nationality and reduces human lives to objects.
For Nigerians living in the UK, the conviction also serves as a reminder that public hostility towards immigrant communities should not be dismissed as harmless banter, particularly when it comes from someone elected to represent the public.
Political office comes with responsibility. Those entrusted with representing communities are expected to uphold the dignity of everyone they serve, regardless of nationality or immigration background.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
