A Reform councillor has been suspended after resurfaced social media posts appeared to show him calling for the Commons speaker to be hanged.
In response to a post about then Commons speaker John Bercow, an account linked to Kirklees councillor David Rowan wrote on social media in October 2019: “Hang the Dwarf”.
In another post, which has not yet been deleted, the account also made homophobic comments, having said he doesn’t believe “gays should have kids full stop”.
A Reform UK spokesperson said: “Cllr Rowan has been suspended from Reform UK pending investigation.”
open image in galleryAnother post from Mr Rowan’s account also called for Westminster to be turned into a Wetherspoons, writing: “Think we should get our pick forks and whippets and demolish London.”
Mr Rowan, who was elected in May, also appeared to show support for far-right campaigner Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, writing: “Thommy Robinson I salute you for caring.”
The Independent has approached Mr Rowan for comment.
Mr Rowan’s suspension comes weeks after a Reform councillor was charged with posting a grossly offensive message on social media. Glenn Gibbins, of Sunderland City Council, allegedly made the post, which referenced the Nigerian community, in 2024.
open image in galleryNigel Farage continues to raise concerns about his own safety in the wake of the killing of Reform UK’s Ann Widdecombe.
Mr Farage has previously raised concerns about MPs’ security, including his own, and said after her death: “And I do fear that for anybody in public life, or especially the political space, things have become even more dangerous to them.”
The Reform UK leader said his party “had been treated very differently to everybody else” before the death of the former MP.
Counterterror police investigating the death of Ms Widdecombe have now reopened a year-old probe into an alleged firebomb attack at Mr Farage’s home in south London, reports have said.
Officers said the incident, which The Telegraph described as a “lit incendiary device” being posted through Mr Farage’s letterbox, was reported in April 2025.
Asked about the probe, Mr Farage told reporters at a press conference earlier this week: “It’s a great, great tragedy that it took the death of Ann for the security services in Britain to finally take seriously the safety and security of Reform politicians and Reform prominent figures.
“Up until that moment, we had been treated very differently to everybody else.”
open image in galleryAccording to The Telegraph, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice pressed his panic button at his house last Christmas after being approached by an aggressive man outside parliament. Officers then made an arrest.
Reform UK MPs were given round-the-clock security protection, paid for by the party, after Widdecombe’s death over fears of similar attacks.
Reform UK spokesperson and former Tory minister Widdecombe died on 8 July after she was hit over the head with a hammer 21 times at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor, Devon, a court heard.
Joshua Kerry, 28, was charged with her murder on 20 July. He has not yet entered a plea and has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance.