Reform councillor accused over racist posts online

A fourth Reform UK councillor in Staffordshire has been accused of posting racist comments on social media.

Anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate has accused Lynn Dean of making offensive remarks about black people, with some content directed specifically at people from Africa.

The claims come days after the new leader of Staffordshire County Council Martin Murray - the third leader of Reform UK on the authority since December - pledged to "come down hard" on any member engaging in racism. His two predecessors have both been embroiled in rows in which it was alleged they were responsible for racist social media content.

Dean told the BBC she would not be commenting at this stage.

Staffordshire County Council said it was aware of the complaints against Dean, while leader Murray said he had no comment "until we've investigated further".

Reform UK has also been approached by the BBC for comment.

The allegation by Hope not Hate is that Dean posted racist material on an X account that used the name L Dean as a handle. The group said biographical and other detail shared in some of the posts lined up with her personal background.

The group has additionally accused her of using social media to call for mosques to be closed and state she was getting tired of Muslims.

Hope Not Hate also accused Dean of posting the message: "Indigenous Britain is slipping further into the abyss. We will soon reach the point of no return."

Some of the material flagged by the campaigners predates Dean's 2025 election to the county council, for which she serves May Bank and Wolstanton ward, and some comes after her election.

She also represents Knutton ward on Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

The accusations come amid a string of recent controversies involving Reform UK councillors in Staffordshire.

Ian Cooper quit as county council leader in December following a probe into racism allegations linked to social media activity.

His successor Chris Large exited as leader of the Reform group on the council, citing a bereavement. After his departure, it emerged he was the subject of an inquiry into racist posts on TikTok which he denied writing.

In November, Peter Mason, councillor for Burton South at Staffordshire County Council, apologised following social media posts dating from 2023 and 2024 which included a derogatory remark about black women.

Georgie Laming, director of campaigns at Hope Not Hate, said: "Staffordshire's Reform-led council has already faced a series of racism scandals."

He added the language in posts he believed to have originated from Dean was "abhorrent and plainly racist".

He urged council leader Martin Murray "to act swiftly" following his pledges upon being elected as leader.

Staffordshire County Council confirmed it had been made aware of the allegations against Dean.

"Where concerns are raised about the conduct of any serving member these will be considered in line with the council's code of conduct," a spokesperson said.

"Issues pre-dating their election would be a matter for their political party."

A spokesman for Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council said: "We have been made aware of a report of comments allegedly made on social media by a councillor since their election.

"We will speak to the councillor concerned and look into the matter accordingly."

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