‘Introvert’ Reform UK councillor ‘cannot recall the details’ after profile appears on leaked white supremacist dating site list
A Wellingborough Reform UK councillor has said he ‘cannot recall the details’ of how his profile appeared on a white supremacist dating site.
Cllr Gavin Beales was elected to represent Brickhill and Queensway on North Northants Council (NNC) in May 2025 and voted in to represent the same ward on Wellingborough Town Council after a poll in November.
Responding to a report after an investigation by The Observer published on Sunday (January 11) using evidence from German hacker Martha Root, Cllr Beales said his name may have inadvertently appeared on the WhiteDate site after using another well-known online dating platform.
Colleagues have described 42-year-old Cllr Beales as ‘a lovely lad’, adding that they didn’t believe he had ‘a racist bone in his body’.
Cllr Beales said: “I am an introvert by nature and, like many people, have found it difficult at times to connect and form relationships.
“When I moved to Wellingborough from London over a decade ago, I didn't know anyone locally and used mainstream dating sites in an attempt to meet a partner, like millions of others. I would still very much like to meet someone and hope one day to become a father.
“It appears that around seven years ago I may have inadvertently been linked to another site. If this occurred, it would have been for a very short period of time and without a paid subscription.
“Given the time that has passed, I cannot clearly recall the details. However, in light of what is now known about the nature of the site, I would never have knowingly chosen to be a member or to associate myself with it in any way.
“Throughout my life, living in different parts of the UK, I have met and worked alongside people of different ages, backgrounds, skin colours and religions. I abhor racism in all its forms. In my role as a councillor, I aim to help everyone to the best of my ability, without prejudice or discrimination.
“Since becoming involved in politics and working closely with local residents and fellow councillors, my confidence has grown significantly. I genuinely enjoy my role as a councillor, attending meetings, holding surgeries and representing people on ward and council matters. I am privileged to meet many wonderful people through this work.
“It saddens me that something so minor, from so long ago, can be presented in a way that distracts from the work I do for families and communities.”
The WhiteDate site user list was shared by Ms Root at a security conference last month.
Before deleting the site she had downloaded a database of the site’s users. According to The Observer about 450 of the 8,000 profiles were from the UK.
Cllr Beales’ details were linked via an email associated with a profile with the username ‘Gavernor’.
Deputy leader of the Labour group on NNC, Cllr David Baker, said: “This allegation against Cllr Beales is very disturbing. Councillors are elected to represent every resident in their ward and if they hold views which prevent that, then it is of grave concern. Cllr Beales has questions to answer from the residents of Wellingborough and we would expect them to be answered by both him and Reform as a matter of urgency.”
Cllr Val Anslow, Labour leader on Wellingborough Town Council, added: “Wellingborough Labour Group on the town council are proud of the town’s diversity, and proud that there have not been the visible displays of division seen in other towns. This is because of the respect shown to all residents regardless of their ethnicity.”