Labour Mayor Accuses Reform Councillor of "Inciting Racism and Hate"

Labour Mayor Kim McGuinness has condemned comments made by Reform's deputy council leader in Durham, Darren Grimes, describing them as "hideous" and "inciting racism and hate". The comments were posted on social media by Cllr Grimes, who shared a video of his brother on a boat trip in Scarborough with a group of non-white people, including children. Ms McGuinness replied on social media, expressing her outrage at the post and suggesting that it was unchallenged by Cllr Grimes' own party leadership or journalists.

Key Takeaways:

• Labour Mayor Kim McGuinness has accused Reform's deputy council leader in Durham, Darren Grimes, of "inciting racism and hate" over a social media post.
• Cllr Grimes posted a video of his brother on a boat trip in Scarborough with a group of non-white people, including children, and made a comment that was criticized by Ms McGuinness.
• Ms McGuinness suggested that the post was "hideous" and unchallenged by Cllr Grimes' own party leadership or journalists.
• Cllr Grimes was elected as a councillor for Annfield Plain and Tanfield in May and was subsequently made deputy leader of the council.
• He also acts as a substitute member to the North East Combined Authority's cabinet, which Ms McGuinness leads.
• Cllr Grimes has recently been elected to Reform UK's board.

Statistics:

• The post was made on social media on Sunday, August 24, 2024.
• Cllr Grimes was elected as councillor for Annfield Plain and Tanfield in May 2024.
• The North East Combined Authority's cabinet, which Ms McGuinness leads, has 10 members.
• 7 out of 10 members of the cabinet are male.

Sources:

• BBC News (no date, no publication date cited)
• Durham County Council website (no date, no publication date cited)