After a senior business partner expressed extremist views about Islam on social networks, a City law firm was forced to send an email to its staff reassuring them that the remarks of this HR business partner do not reflect their views.
Dan Cooper, a CMS employee, is believed by many to be running as a Reform UK candidate in the local elections scheduled for May.
He described Islamophobia and the 7th century barbaric cult as “made up words” on his X account.
Last week, the social media account Reform Party UK Exposed made a connection between Cooper’s career as an HR professional and his comments as a @ReformPartyUK candidate. It said: “We are not sure how he can square his day job with his remarks as a #ReformPartyUK candidate.”
“Especially when he posts stuff like [the Islam Tweet] during normal office hours.”
This post has been shared more than 100 times.
Dan Cooper @Danable64, the Reform UK candidate in Boston Coastal is Lincolnshire. Yes @ticerichard patch.
He is Senior HR Business partner for @CMS_law a law firm.
He describes himself on LinkedIn as a wellness ambassador. This is quite a savvy move.
We’re not sure how he… pic.twitter.com/NwWsHHAsJU
Reform Party UK Exposed 5th March 2025
In another tweet he said: “If you’re over 18 and believe you’re transgender, you have a serious mental illness.” If you’re eight years old and you think you’re transgender, your parents are suffering from a mental disorder.
According to an article in the Times, CMS Chairman Charles Currier emailed his staff, referring a “long-standing employee” in the HR department who had “offensive opinions on his social media account” which “does not represent the views of the firm”.
In response to The Times’ report, CMS said: “We acted swiftly and decisively as soon as we learned about the nature of this individual’s offensive comments on social media.
The views expressed by employees on their social media accounts are not representative of the company.
We will support all those affected.
CMS has not clarified whether Cooper is still employed by the company. Cooper’s LinkedIn profile states that he has been a senior HR Business Partner and Wellbeing Ambassador for CMS since 2012.
Reform UK’s spokesman stated that nominations for the local elections in May had not opened yet and “therefore, no one is officially a contender”. He stated that Reform UK sets high standards and expects them from its candidates. Therefore, Mr Cooper won’t be a Reform UK candidate and his membership is suspended.
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