A third Reform UK councillor in Kirklees is facing scrutiny over a series of alleged historic social media posts, including one calling for England to be made “Islam-free”.
The controversy comes just days after Reform UK took control of Kirklees Council, with group leader Sarah Wood elected as council leader. Now, cllr Eric Butterworth, who represents Dewsbury East, is facing criticism over posts allegedly shared from an X account operating under the name Cllr Eric Butterworth.
The posts, which were reportedly shared between 2025 and 2026, included a repost of an image carrying the message: From the English Channel to the North Sea, Make England ISLAM-FREE.
Other posts linked to the account included a comment stating “I guess he’s just trying to get white” in response to a video showing a Black man covered in milk.
In another post, responding to a question asking “What did Pakistan give the world?”, the account allegedly replied: “an alternative gene pool”.
A separate comment under a photograph of King Charles knighting London Mayor Sadiq Khan reportedly read: “Pity the King doesn’t have tourettes”.
The account, understood to have used the handle @ginandtonicnow and the name Cllr Eric Butterworth, is believed to have remained active until earlier this month but has since been deleted or deactivated.
Cllr Butterworth declined to comment when approached about the posts.
The latest controversy follows previous scrutiny of two other Reform UK councillors in Kirklees over historic social media activity.
Earlier this year, Reform cllr Stefan Dransfield faced criticism after a Facebook post shared under his name showed an Asian man being punched, accompanied by the comment “very satisfying”.
Meanwhile, posts linked to Reform councillor Tracy Clayton’s X account included content mocking transgender people,
questioning climate change, and comments about Muslim communities.
Reform UK has not yet publicly responded to the allegations surrounding cllr Butterworth.
A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said councillors are required to comply with the authority’s Code of Conduct when acting in their official capacity.
The council added that the screenshots circulating online appear to relate to posts made before the individual was elected and before they became subject to the code.
The authority said the posts were unverified and declined further comment.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Reform UK in Kirklees, after the party secured leadership of the council despite holding only a minority of seats.
