A Reform councillor has been charged with posting a grossly offensive message on social media after allegedly making a racist comment about Nigerians.
Glenn Gibbins, of Sunderland City Council, has been charged with the offence under the Communications Act 2003, Northumbria Police said.
The force said the charge was in relation to a post from 2024, which referenced the Nigerian community.
It was alerted to the post in May, began investigations, then submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service which has authorised a charge.
The 66-year-old from Sunderland is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on August 21.
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “We are aware there has already been significant interest in relation to this individual and the social media post.
“We would urge people not to speculate both online and in the community in relation to this case.”
Gibbins was suspended by Reform but was later reinstated, according to reports.