A Reform UK councillor who works at the Home Office processing asylum claims has been suspended from his job pending an investigation into potential breaches of the civil service code. Paul Bean, a councillor for Crook ward on Durham County Council, declared his civil service role in his register of interests.
The investigation follows findings by the campaign group Hope Not Hate, which uncovered social media posts attributed to Bean that criticised asylum seekers. One post read: 'I work as an asylum decision maker for the HO 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.' Another stated: '97% of asylum seekers are lying about persecution in their home countries.' Official statistics show that almost half of asylum seekers win their cases.
Bean has also been suspended by Reform UK, though it is unclear whether this relates to his critical comments about party leader Nigel Farage or other posts. Reform UK did not respond to a request for comment. A Durham council spokesperson confirmed Bean remains a councillor until the party informs them he has ceased to be a member.
A Home Office 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. Whenever the code is breached, the matter will be fully investigated and disciplinary action taken as appropriate.'
