Tom Wilkinson

Reform UK has suspended Sunderland councillor Glenn Gibbins after he was charged under the Communications Act 2003 over an alleged 2024 Facebook post referencing the Nigerian community. Gibbins, who is due to appear at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, had previously been suspended and reinstated by the party with a final written warning and is now listed as an Independent councillor. Reform faced criticism after deputy leader Richard Tice and leader Nigel Farage were accused of failing to condemn or remove him, while Labour described the episode as evidence of racism and division in Reform politics.

Reform UK has suspended Sunderland councillor Glenn Gibbins after he was charged under the Communications Act 2003 over an alleged 2024 Facebook post referencing the Nigerian community. Gibbins had previously been suspended, reinstated with a final written warning and elected to the council, where he is now listed as an independent. Reform faced criticism after deputy leader Richard Tice declined to directly condemn him, while Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Labour accused the party and its leadership of failing to confront racism.

Former butcher and farmer Christopher Wright, 73, was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court to life in prison with a minimum term of 35 years for murdering lodger Richard Dyson, 55. Wright shot Dyson, dismembered his body and concealed the remains in a concrete-filled barrel placed on a trailer. Dyson had lived on Wright's land in Hoyland and performed odd jobs for him before their relationship deteriorated over suspected theft. Wright's childhood friend Karl Schwalbe received a three-year sentence for helping conceal the crime. Dyson's daughter described the anguish of being unable to grieve while her father's fate remained unknown.

Twelve-year-old Jaxon Hubery from Bishop Auckland died after falling from a barn roof at premises in Woodhouses while with friends. He was treated at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary but died several days later. Police are investigating the circumstances with the Health and Safety Executive, while Jaxon’s family has urged parents to keep children away from the area.