Overview

• Durham Constabulary said multiple complaints about the August 24 X post were reviewed but the content did not meet the threshold for a criminal offence.
• Darren Grimes, Reform’s deputy leader on Durham County Council, welcomed the decision and accused Labour of smearing critics while pledging to keep speaking for residents.
• North East mayor Kim McGuinness had described the post as hideous and questioned whether it was inciting racism and hate.
• The post showed his brother on a Scarborough boat and read: “I had to ask him if he was on a dinghy to Dover, but then I realised there are women and children on board.”
• Grimes was elected in May and also serves as a substitute member of the North East Combined Authority cabinet, which is led by McGuinness.