Judge to decide if Reform councillor's Facebook post was 'grossly offensive'

• A judge is to decide whether a suspended Reform UK councillor committed a criminal offence over a social media post suggesting Nigerians be melted down to fill potholes.
• Sunderland City councillor Glenn Gibbins denies posting a grossly offensive message on Facebook in March 2024 before his election.
• District Judge Zoe Passfield stated the key issue is whether the message was grossly offensive and if a conviction would disproportionately override his Article 10 rights to freedom of expression.
• Gibbins was suspended by Reform UK after the post came to light in May.
• The 66-year-old councillor, who is currently on unconditional bail, faces a three-hour trial at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Monday.

IN FULL

Suspended Reform councillor Glenn Gibbins to face trial over Facebook post about melting down Nigerians