Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has stripped a senior council leader of his party membership following the exposure of a series of racially charged online attacks targeting prominent black and minority ethnic figures. Ian Cooper, who led the Staffordshire County Council, was removed after allegedly unleashing a torrent of abuse that included telling a British-Nigerian activist to return to Nigeria.

The swift dismissal highlights the ongoing struggle within right-wing British politics to manage extremism within its ranks—a concern that resonates deeply with Kenyans watching the rising tide of anti-migrant sentiment in the UK. For the East African diaspora, Cooper’s alleged assertion that migrants are "intent on colonising the UK" serves as a stark reminder of the hostile environment some politicians are cultivating abroad.

Targeting the Diaspora

The controversy centers on comments Cooper allegedly made regarding Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, a British-born lawyer and women’s rights activist of Nigerian heritage. In a vitriolic post, Cooper reportedly referred to her as "Dr. Shaga Bing-Bong" and stated it was "time she F’d off back to Nigeria," adding that "she’d feel more at home there."

These remarks were part of a broader pattern of abuse targeting high-profile officials of color. Cooper’s digital footprint reportedly included:

• Calling London Mayor Sadiq Khan a "narcissistic Pakistani."
• Attacking David Lammy, a senior government minister, with the claim that "No foreign national or first generation migrant should be allowed to sit in parliament."
• Claiming migrants are destroying British heritage.

'Failure to Declare'

Facing mounting public pressure, Reform UK announced on Friday that Cooper’s membership had been revoked. While the comments were the catalyst, the party’s official justification focused on procedural failures rather than the content of the slurs themselves.

"Following an investigation into the failure to declare social media accounts during the candidate vetting process, Cllr Ian Cooper has had his membership of Reform UK revoked," a party spokesperson stated. Consequently, Cooper has also lost his position as leader of the Staffordshire County Council, a body responsible for over a million residents.

Cooper, who previously stood as a parliamentary candidate for Tamworth in 2023 and during last year’s general election, has yet to issue a public response to the allegations. His removal marks another turbulent chapter for Reform UK as it attempts to professionalize its image while grappling with the radical views of its grassroots base.