Reform mayor criticised for 'appalling' online posts

The new Reform UK mayor of Redditch is facing an investigation into her social media - after a series of historic posts emerged showing her criticising black, Asian and LGBT communities.

Councillor Sue Eacock has come under fire for remarks on X, including one where she suggested there were too many black performers at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert.

She also tweeted the comedian Lenny Henry to say she did not want to attend a gig, writing "no thanks, I identify as a white woman", and responded to a video of purely Asian people in a street by stating it was "heartbreaking to see our once beautiful capital, London, falling."

Neither Reform or Eacock responded to requests for comment.

Eacock also praised former MP Enoch Powell for his infamous Rivers of Blood speech, saying "55 years later his words have come true".

In response to a photo of Angela Rayner sitting in a room with Asian men, she wrote "she won't last long with that lot, they hate women".

Among the string of offensive posts was one where she praised an old picture of Liverpool Central railway station from the 1960s, describing the people as "beautiful, fashion conscious, slim and white", and another where she claimed police "only police white demos", in response to a video of a pro-Palestinian march.

Eacock was elected to Worcestershire County Council last year, and Redditch Borough Council this year for Reform.

She became Redditch mayor last week, but the BBC understands complaints have been made about her to both authorities, including from the public and other councillors.

After the BBC asked her to comment, she deleted her X account.

In one post, she said "I'm not bothered about colour" but told her followers "we are a Christian country therefore the next Prime Minister should not be Muslim".

The remarks have been condemned by community leaders in the town.

Raf Hussein, from Redditch Central Mosque, said: "She doesn't even try to hide her bigotry.

"I've spent a lifetime trying to build bridges and fight against racism in all its forms, but it seems we still have a very long way to go."

Patricia Chambers, who runs a charity called Butterflies, which aims to create community cohesion in Redditch, called the posts "appalling".

"My parents were born in Jamaica - I've lived in Redditch for 25 years having moved over from Birmingham," she said.

"This stuff on social media is disgusting. It does damage to everything we've been working for - we do not agree with anything that treats anyone as inferior."

Eacock's posts also took aim at the LGBT community, including one where she said people's lives were being made worse by "gay parades walking around semi-naked in front of children".

She also called former prime minister Tony Blair "gay" and called a woman pictured in a Pride march a "slapper".

Jamie Freemantle, a director at Redditch Pride, called the remarks "hate" and said he had written to Eacock and Redditch Borough Council calling for her to resign.

"It's because of people spreading stuff like this, that we still need to have pride events," he said.

Councillor Sharon Harvey, the opposition Labour group leader on the borough council, said: "I've been made aware of the messages from Councillor Eacock which share racist and homophobic views.

"I'm deeply saddened that the new Redditch mayor doesn't uphold the principles of equality, fairness and inclusion which are expected of all councillors."

Labour Redditch MP Chris Bloore said the content of the messages were "deeply disappointing".

They were published between 2022 and 2025 on the social media platform, where she had more than 40,000 followers before the account was deleted.

She became the mayor in Redditch last week, with the offensive messages pre-dating her time as a councillor.

A spokesman for Worcestershire County Council said: "We are aware of historic social media posts relating to Councillor Sue Eacock.

"The posts referenced pre-date Councillor Eacock's election to the council.

"The code of conduct applies when a councillor is acting in their official capacity."

Redditch Borough Council also said the social media remarks were made before she was elected to the authority.

A borough council spokesman added: "The council does not comment on complaints against councillors, and will not confirm whether complaints have been received.

"Any concerns raised are considered and resolved in line with the council's standards procedures, which are available on our website."

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