A City law firm has been compelled to email staff to reassure them that a senior HR business partner’s remarks do not represent its views after he expressed extreme opinions about Islam on social media.

Dan Cooper, who works at CMS, is believed to be standing as a candidate for the Reform UK party in local elections in May.

On his X account, which has since been closed, he described Islam as a “7th century barbaric cult” and Islamophobia as a “made-up word”.

The social media account “Reform Party UK Exposed” made the connection between Cooper and his career as an HR professional last week, saying: “We’re not sure how he squares the day job with his comments as a candidate for @ReformPartyUK.

“Especially when he posts things like [the Islam tweet], seemingly during standard office hours.”

This has been reposted more than 100 times.

Dan Cooper @Danable64 is the Reform UK candidate for Boston Coastal in Lincolnshire. Yes @ticerichard‘s patch.

He’s Senior HR Business Partner for @CMS_law, a law firm.

On his LinkedIn he describes himself as a Wellness Ambassador. That’s quite woke.

We’re not sure how he… pic.twitter.com/NwWsHHAsJU

— Reform Party UK Exposed