Reform UK looks into social media posts linked to Staffordshire council leader

Reform UK has begun an internal investigation after racist and bigoted social media posts, said to come from accounts in the name of Staffordshire County Council leader Ian Cooper, were highlighted by a national anti racism group.
The claims focus on activity across YouTube and X.

Claims made by Hope Not Hate
Hope Not Hate has published an article setting out a series of comments it says were posted from accounts linked to Cllr Cooper.
The group says the remarks targeted Black and Asian public figures, describing the language as offensive and drawing on far right terminology.

One YouTube comment from three years ago, attributed to the account @iancooper9000, allegedly told lawyer and academic Shola Mos Shogbamimu to “F off back to Nigeria” while also altering her surname.
In another example, published comments said to come from the X account @cooper_ian57035 included a response to TV and radio presenter Sangita Myska, stating she could not be English and that “all you have is a piece of paper entitling you to British citizenship”.
Hope Not Hate also says the account described London Mayor Sadiq Khan as a “narcissistic Pakistani” and suggested Labour MP David Lammy should not be allowed to sit in Parliament.

In a further instance on YouTube, the @iancooper9000 account allegedly wrote that “those who have arrived from the ‘Global Majority South’ are intent on colonising the UK, destroying all that has gone before”.

Hope Not Hate says it examined the accounts after the Reform Exposed profile on X reported that Cllr Cooper appeared as a ‘top fan’ of a Facebook page called The European Race.
It argues the activity paints “a man who is deeply bigoted and tapped into far right media and terminology”.

Response from Reform UK
Reform UK has confirmed it is reviewing the matter.
A party spokesperson said, “We are undergoing an urgent internal investigation over Cllr Cooper’s non disclosure of social media accounts.”

Article continues after this message

Cllr Cooper represents Perrycrofts in Tamworth and has led Staffordshire County Council since Reform UK’s success in the May local elections.

Political reaction
Nine Labour MPs representing Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire, including Gareth Snell, Allison Gardner, David Williams and Adam Jogee, have called for him to step down.

Their joint statement said, “Ian Cooper has, by sharing this kind of material, exposed his far right and racist opinions. He should now resign the leadership and his seat. No wonder he was reluctant to take action against Cllr Peter Mason given his own racist and repugnant views. Staffordshire deserves better than this outright bigotry.”

This comes only weeks after another Reform Staffordshire councillor, cabinet member Peter Mason, apologised for making offensive comments about black women, the police and other groups before his election.

Cllr Cooper has been approached for comment.