Reform councillor quits days after election over ‘racist’ posts

Prior had been elected to the Rayleigh West division for Essex County Council and to the Sweyne Park and Grange ward for Rochford District Council, both with around 40% of the vote.

Reform UK won control of Essex County Council from the Conservatives on Friday, winning 53 of 78 seats.

When confronted by the Mirror, Prior said he ‘didn’t recall’ the post about white people being the ‘master race’, adding: ‘Blimey.’ He also denied being racist.

An Essex County Council spokesperson said: ‘We have had confirmation that the successful candidate for Rayleigh West has resigned from their position as a county councillor.

‘We also understand they have resigned from their role as a councillor for Rochford District Council.

‘Officers from both authorities will work together to co-ordinate by-elections, with arrangements communicated to residents as soon as possible.’

A spokesperson from Rochford District Council this was the case.

Another recently-appointed Reform councillor is being investigated over racism allegations after he said Nigerians should be melted down to ‘fill in the pot holes’ in now-deleted social media posts.

Glenn Gibbins, the new councillor for Hylton Castle Ward in Sunderland, is now being investigated by the party just days after winning his seat.

In the posts from 2024, he said he ‘carnt [sic] believe amount of Nigerians in town’ and they ‘should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes’.

Gibbins has also complained about women being on TV, calling Mel and Sue the two ‘unfunniest fat repulsive lesbian hosts ever’.

Writing during the 2021 Ireland v Japan rugby match, he also said: ‘Yet another woman comentator. It’s getting out of controll. There must be a hundred better male comentators but had to give it to a female [sic].

‘Wish they wud stick to cooking, sewing and homemaking [sic].’

Speaking on BBC’s Politics North, deputy leader of Durham County Council Darren Grimes claimed Gibbins had been suspended from the party.

Grimes said: ‘He’s been suspended and the party is investigating those very serious allegations and will act on them.’

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