A Reform UK councillor has been suspended from his job at the Home Office amid an investigation into whether he breached the civil service code by posting politically charged and critical comments about asylum seekers.
Paul Bean, who represents Crook ward on Durham County Council, works as an asylum and immigration caseworker for the Home Office, a role that demands strict political neutrality. His civil service position is listed in his official register of interests as a councillor.
The suspension follows revelations from the anti-extremism group Hope Not Hate, which linked Bean to a social media account that published posts criticizing asylum seekers and making sweeping claims about their credibility. One post from the account stated:
“I work as an asylum decision maker for the HO [Home Office] and I can tell you with authority that 93% of asylum seekers to the UK are men between 18-35 and 92% of them are refused asylum. The truth is the vast majority of asylum seekers are actually economic migrants abusing the asylum system.”
In another post, the account claimed, “97% of asylum seekers are lying about persecution in their home countries. Source: me. Guess what job I do.”
Such comments are being reviewed in light of the civil service code, which states that civil servants must remain politically impartial and not allow personal views to influence their work. The Home Office confirmed an investigation is underway, though it declined to comment on individual cases. A spokesperson said, “All civil servants must adhere to the civil service code and are expected to carry out their role with integrity, honesty, objectivity, and political impartiality.”
Bean has also been suspended by Reform UK, though the party has not clarified whether this is due to his online comments about asylum seekers or critical remarks he allegedly made about Nigel Farage and the party itself. Some posts from the same account include derogatory language, accuse Farage of submitting to Islam, and suggest the Reform leader looks down on working-class supporters.
Despite the suspension, Bean remains an elected councillor. A Durham County Council spokesperson explained that a councillor can only be formally removed if the party notifies the council that they are no longer a member:
“Where councillors are suspended pending an investigation, this is treated as a neutral act. Cllr Bean will continue to sit on his appointed committees, and our website will reflect his current status.”
Amanda Hopgood, opposition leader at the council, welcomed the investigation that “It’s only right and proper that this issue is looked into in the interests of openness and transparency.”
Bean was one of 65 Reform UK councillors elected in May, giving the party a majority on Durham County Council more seats than all other parties combined, including Labour, the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Greens, and independents. The council was previously governed by a coalition of the Lib Dems, Conservatives, and independents.
The controversy comes as Reform UK continues to take a hard line on immigration. Its latest policy proposes mass deportations of asylum seekers, even to countries facing ongoing conflict, including Eritrea and Afghanistan, a plan dismissed by Labour as unrealistic.
The Home Office has reiterated that any breach of civil service standards will result in a full investigation and appropriate disciplinary action.
