A Home Office contractor with 15 years of spotless service was fired for sharing a tweet. Now the UK is debating: was it a necessary step to preserve workplace harmony—or an outrageous attack on free speech?
The dismissal of Gary Costin, an employee contracted through Mitie, came after he forwarded a post by Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, which discussed a report about the Home Office’s Islamic staff network. The message? A single sentence. The result? Unemployment.
This incident has sparked a national conversation about what’s acceptable to say in the digital age—especially if you work in sensitive sectors like immigration and government. Let’s unpack what really happened and why it matters far beyond one WhatsApp message.
👤 Who Is Gary Costin?
Gary Costin isn’t a political firebrand. He’s a long-serving operational worker who has spent over 15 years helping deport foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes. Working for Mitie and previously G4S, his role involved coordinating removal operations for convicted murderers, rapists, and gang leaders to high-risk countries like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sierra Leone.
Until now, there were no allegations of misconduct against him. That changed when he shared a political post with colleagues.
📲 What Did He Share and Why Is It Controversial?
The spark that ignited this controversy was a message from Richard Tice referencing a GB News article. The article alleged that the Home Office Islamic staff network had tried to influence internal policies to favor Muslim needs—a claim that’s since stirred public debate.
Tice’s exact wording?
“SHOCKING REVELATIONS: Large Islamic Network inside Home Office, now suspended, appears to have been deliberately undermining government policy. How many other departments have similar? Answers needed urgently. Possible national security issues at stake.”
Costin shared the post—without any added comments—into a group chat with fellow colleagues. That simple act triggered an anonymous whistleblower complaint, describing the post as an insult to Muslim coworkers and accusing him of spreading hate.
🔥 The Fallout: How a Shared Post Led to Termination
Mitie acted swiftly after receiving the complaint. Costin was suspended pending an internal review. During that investigation, he explained he meant no offense and was merely sharing public information that he believed had workplace relevance.
But that wasn’t enough.
Mitie ultimately dismissed him. The reasoning? Even without malicious intent, the message could be interpreted as offensive and potentially racist. In such a diverse work environment—especially one tied to immigration and deportation—perceived bias can be grounds for action.
🗣️ The Free Speech Argument
Gary Costin isn’t taking this quietly. Supported by the Free Speech Union, he argues that his rights have been trampled on. In a statement, Toby Young, FSU Secretary-General, said:
“Gary should never have been sacked for sharing a tweet by Richard Tice in a workplace group chat. He certainly wouldn’t have been if he’d shared a tweet by Sir Keir Starmer or Ed Davey.”
Free speech advocates see this as part of a broader pattern—where political expression, particularly from right-leaning sources, is being policed more aggressively than other viewpoints.
🛡️ What Mitie Said in Its Defense
Mitie hasn’t backed down. The company stated that protecting its staff from potentially offensive material is part of maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment. It acknowledged that Costin did not intend harm, but said intent doesn’t always equal impact.
In workplaces tied to government functions—especially immigration—there’s increased sensitivity. Employers argue that neutrality and trust are essential for internal cohesion.
