Reform UK councillor Darren Grimes slammed for X posts

Cllr Darren Grimes, a former GB News presenter, was appointed as the party's deputy leader on Wednesday (May 14) after a sweeping election victory on May 1 saw Nigel Farage's party take control of Durham County council.

Now, posts have surfaced from Cllr Grimes' X account which boasts more than 450,000 followers.

(Image: Darren Grimes on X)

Some use offensive language, while another appears to show an AI-generated video of himself wearing a rainbow-coloured hijab while sitting in a wheelchair claiming he is 'immune from hate speech laws'.

It has sparked backlash from political opponents who have said the posts are 'astounding' and that Cllr Grimes should 'behave like and adult'.

But, the Annfield Plain and Tanfield councillor said he would not apologise for posts, saying he had a right to free speech.

He said: "I was elected by the people of my community to represent them with honesty and conviction, not to self-censor in the hope of appeasing the sensitivities of newspaper columnists or permanently outraged activist tip offs online.

"As a public representative, I speak openly on issues that matter to my constituents—including concerns around divisive DEI policies, political correctness, and the state of our national debate.

"If robust criticism of government policy or political satire is now considered controversial, that says more about the narrow bounds of acceptable speech in certain media circles than it does about my suitability for public office.

(Image: Darren Grimes on X) "I stand by my right to free expression, and I believe the public is far more concerned with issues like council tax, housing, and local services than selective outrage about political posts online.

"I will continue to represent the people of Annfield Plain and Tanfield with the same straight-talking honesty that got me elected—without apology or retreat."

(Image: Darren Grimes on X) After being appointed as Reform's deputy leader in Durham, Cllr Grimes is expected to be voted in as the deputy leader of the local authority at next week’s full council meeting.

Hitting out at Cllr Grimes' posts, former council leader Amanda Hopgood said: "A senior leadership role in a council the size of County Durham is a responsible job, it is not a laughing matter and neither are the people we are elected to represent.

"The Leader, his deputy and cabinet are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the authority, an authority that is responsible for providing hundreds of services for over half a million people.

"To see posts like this by someone who has been elected into one of those roles is astounding.

(Image: Darren Grimes on X) "County Durham has always been a welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors alike. If this is an example of what’s to come, then I am appalled at what is in store."

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(Image: Darren Grimes on X) Meanwhile, a Labour spokesperson claimed Cllr Grimes is "more bothered about his Twitter followers than frontline services".

They added: "Reform UK have been given a position of responsibility by the people of County Durham. It’s about time they started taking that seriously.

"It’s about time Reform UK got their act together and start behaving like adults."

Reform UK were contacted for comment.