Durham County Council’s Reform UK deputy leader, Darren Grimes, a former GB News presenter, has acknowledged using an AI-generated image in a blog post highlighting the relocation of “problem tenants, recent refugees, and homeless families” to the region from London councils.
Details of the Blog Post
Grimes’ blog claims London councils quietly shift tenants hundreds of miles north, contributing to Durham’s lengthy housing waiting lists. The post features an image showing about a dozen South Asian men in tracksuits standing beside a coach on a housing estate. Grimes confirmed the photo was AI-generated and intended solely for illustrative purposes.
Social Media Reactions
Many social media users who shared the post mistook the image for a real photograph. One commenter noted, “The blog say families that looks like single men to me,” while another observed, “And they have matching tracksuits! Like a travelling football team.”
Others quickly identified the AI origins, pointing out flaws such as incorrect perspective. One user wrote, “Is that another AI image there? Looks like one – perspective is all wrong.” Another remarked, “A picture that doesn’t tally with your words does not inspire confidence in you or what you say.”
Grimes’ Response
Grimes dismissed criticism of the image, stating it was “entirely predictable that the left-wing media is hyperventilating over an AI-generated stock image instead of the fact that southern councils are using the North as a dumping ground for their housing failures and mass migration.” He emphasized, “Make no mistake, this is happening, people are being pushed to the back of the queue in their own communities.”
Housing Relocation Data
Grimes referenced a recent BBC report indicating hundreds of people have moved to north-east areas due to housing shortages in their original locations. His blog notes that Durham County Council received official notice of nearly 100 households relocating from London over two years.
Proposed Policy Changes
The councillor commits to prioritizing veterans, domestic abuse victims, and others with genuine needs. Currently, the council favors applicants with at least one year of local residency. Grimes proposes extending this to a two-year local connection requirement, with exemptions for care leavers, local workers, and those with caring responsibilities in the area.
