Table of Contents
Meta Description: A Reform UK council leader faces accusations of racism after allegedly making offensive remarks about prominent public figures and migrants online.
A leading figure within the Reform UK party is facing mounting accusations of racism following the surfacing of allegedly bigoted social media posts. Ben Cooper, a Reform UK councillor and interim chair of the party’s Tamworth branch, is accused of making disparaging remarks about London Mayor Sadiq khan, broadcaster Sangita Myska, and women’s rights activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, alongside broader disparaging statements about migrants. The allegations raise serious questions about vetting procedures within the party and its commitment to inclusivity.
Alleged Offensive Remarks Surface
The accusations center around a series of posts allegedly made by Cooper on social media platforms.According to reports from the anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate, shared with The Guardian, Cooper allegedly described Khan as a “narcissistic Pakistani” and characterized London as a “3rd world shit hole” in a message from Febuary. In a post directed at broadcaster Sangita Myska in April, Cooper reportedly questioned her English identity, stating she was English “only in your dreams” and asserting she lacked “ethnic, cultural, or historical” ties to England.
Perhaps most disturbingly, Cooper allegedly told Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu,a prominent women’s rights activist,to “F’d off back to Nigeria” three years ago,suggesting she would “feel more at home there.” He also allegedly claimed that diversity was a “lie” and that migrants from the “global majority south” were “intent on colonising the UK, destroying all that has gone before.”
party Response and Internal Investigation
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has responded to the allegations by announcing an “urgent internal investigation” into Cooper’s alleged failure to disclose these social media accounts. The party stated it is taking the matter seriously, but the incident has already sparked criticism regarding its vetting processes for candidates and elected officials.
this is not an isolated incident within Reform UK. Just last month,two other party politicians were suspended over offensive messaging. Laura Anne Jones, the sole reform UK member of the Senedd, reportedly used a racial slur during a discussion about China and TikTok. In Lancashire, councillor Tom Pickup was suspended for calling Keir Starmer a highly offensive term in a WhatsApp group where members allegedly called for “mass Islam genocide.”
Cooper’s Rise Within Reform UK
Cooper’s ascent within the party has been relatively swift. Elected in May, he led Reform UK to meaningful gains in council seats across England. Prior to his election, he served as Farage’s parliamentary candidate for Tamworth in both the 2023 byelection and last year’s general election. He currently holds the position of interim chair of the party’s Tamworth branch.
The controversy extends beyond Cooper’s personal posts. It emerged last month that he defended fellow Reform UK councillor Peter Mason, who had criticized a statue of a Black woman with derogatory language and made disparaging remarks about the police. Cooper characterized the criticism of Mason as a “targeted political attack” and defended his comments as a critique of public art and legitimate concerns about policing.
Concerns Over Far-Right Ideology
According to Gregory Davis, a senior researcher at Hope Not Hate, Cooper’s social media activity paints a picture of a man “deeply bigoted and tapped into far-right media and terminology.” Davis emphasized that Cooper is “part of a long list of Reform UK councillors who have been exposed for their extreme views,” raising concerns about the party’s standards for leadership positions and whether such views are tacitly accepted within the institution.
The unfolding situation presents a significant challenge for Reform UK as it seeks to establish itself as a credible political force. The allegations against Cooper, coupled with the recent suspensions of other party members, raise serious questions about the party’s commitment to inclusivity and its ability to attract and retain individuals who reflect a broad range of perspectives. The outcome of the internal investigation will be closely watched as the party navigates this growing crisis.
