‘Get a grip’ - Calls for South Tyneside’s Reform UK leader to expel two top councillors
Two high-ranking South Tyneside Reform councillors have been urged to quit after the far-right comments of one created a furious political backlash.
Cllr Steve Smith and Cllr Michelle Fascione – both members of the borough’s powerful Cabinet – should be expelled, an opposition councillor has said.
Geraldine Kilgour, Labour’s sole councillor in South Tyneside, called on Reform council leader Paul Mackings to remove them from his group.
Separately, South Tyneside’s Green Party also called on Cllr Smith to resign over the same issue - comments he made on social media.
In a Facebook post the ex-police detective claimed British people were “gathering together to face off an invasion”.
The claim of a Population Replacement Programme echoes that of the ‘Great Replacement’, a widely debunked far-right conspiracy theory that claims white population Western countries are being deliberately replaced by non-white immigrants through mass migration and demographic change.
And the newly elected Biddick and All Saints representative claimed “British patriots” were “fighting on two fronts – the invaders and the government”.
He further alleged “global puppet masters don’t give a damn about your culture or heritage”.
‘Get a grip’
In a letter to Cllr Mackings, Cllr Kilgour claimed Cllr Fascione had 'liked' her Reform colleague's Facebook post, bringing her into disrepute.
She stated: “Frankly it is time for you to get a grip of your Group, expel these two Councillors from your Group and remove them from your Cabinet, tackling such bigoted comments head on.
She added: “If you refuse to do so, the public will draw their own conclusions as to your own stance on such vile and disturbing posts on social media.”
Green Party echoes calls
South Tyneside’s Green Party group leader, Rachael Taylor, also confirmed she would no longer share public engagements with her fellow Biddick and All Saints ward member.
Cllr Taylor added: “We are calling on Council Leader Cllr Paul Mackings to ensure that appropriate equality and anti-discrimination training is available to all councillors across the chamber.
“As South Tyneside’s Official opposition, Green councillors will continue to work constructively with councillors from all parties when it is in the interests of residents.
“But working across party lines does not mean staying silent when we believe political rhetoric risks dividing our communities.
“South Tyneside deserves political debate that challenges ideas without demonising people.
“Greens will continue to stand for a politics based on fairness, respect and bringing our communities together.”
Calls for Councillor Smith to resign
And deputy leader Cllr Tony Leather said: “We believe elected representatives have a responsibility to bring communities together, not to fuel fear and division.
“People are entitled to strong views about immigration and government policy, but describing people as ‘invaders’ and promoting claims about population replacement crosses a line into rhetoric that risks inflaming tensions within our communities.
“We are calling on Reform’s local leadership to publicly condemn these comments and make clear whether this is language they are prepared to tolerate from their elected representatives.
“We also believe Cllr Smith should consider his position as a councillor.
“Someone elected to represent an entire community should be mindful of the impact their public statements can have on the people they represent.”
Cllr Smith, Cllr Fascione, the council’s Lead Member for Children and Families, Education and Skills, who represents the Simonside and Rekendyke ward, and Reform in South Tyneside did not respond to requests for comment.