Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice has refused to condemn comments made by a newly elected councillor who suggested 'melting' Nigerians to fill potholes. During an appearance on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Tice dismissed the remarks as 'smearing' and pivoted to other topics.
Controversial Remarks
Glenn Gibbins, who won a seat for the Hylton Castle Ward in Sunderland, had posted on social media that he 'can't believe the amount of Nigerians in town' and that they 'should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes.' The posts have since been deleted. Gibbins also made derogatory comments about women on television, calling Mel and Sue the 'two unfunniest fat repulsive lesbian hosts ever.'
Tice's Response
When pressed by the interviewer, Tice said: 'We've heard all this smearing, but let me tell you what people are really concerned about.' He then mentioned his upcoming attendance at a rally against antisemitism. Tice added: 'If people have said daft things, of course, it will be looked at. But let's just remember, we have a party that's been successful, that is now the antisemitic Green Party – that's what people are concerned about.'
Asked again to condemn the remarks, Tice stated: 'I condemn anything that is wrong and inappropriate. But the key point is that voters have heard all of this smearing against all of us, and they have voted for more Reform because they want action, they want delivery, and they are sick of the failures of Tory and Labour.'
Another Candidate Under Fire
In a separate incident, another Reform candidate, Jay Cooper, who won a seat in the Sefton Council for the Bootle West ward, has been accused of making antisemitic comments. Cooper allegedly referred to the Holocaust as a 'hoax' in a since-deleted Facebook post. The post included a comment that 'the Hallocaust [sic] is a hoax' and that 'there wasn't [sic] even 6 million Jews in Europe at the time. Propaganda.'
Cooper's comments have sparked outrage, especially given the context of rising antisemitism concerns. The Reform Party has faced increasing scrutiny over the views of its candidates and elected officials.
