• CMS took swift action after discovering that Dan Cooper, a senior HR team member and Reform UK candidate, had posted anti-Islamic remarks on X.
• While CMS did not confirm Cooper’s departure, reports suggest he has left the firm; CMS pledged support for affected colleagues.
Leading Law firm CMS in London has taken “prompt and decisive action” after discovering that a senior HR team member and prospective Reform UK councillor had posted anti-Islamic remarks on X.
Dan Cooper’s X profile stated: “Family man. Professional. Film Maker. Anti Islam….Pro UK farming. Reform candidate for Boston Coastal Lincolnshire,” a constituency represented by Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice MP.
While Cooper did not reference his role at CMS on X or mention his political views on LinkedIn, his connection to the law firm was identified by a social media account called ‘Reform Party UK Exposed.’ An investigation revealed that the account ‘Danable64’ began posting in December 2023, shortly before Cooper was confirmed as a Reform UK candidate, and became highly active thereafter.
The account was deleted last week following an initial enquiry to CMS. Cooper’s LinkedIn profile was also removed after a media report about the situation was published.
In response to a user on X who asked, “What do you feel when someone calls you Islamophobic?” Cooper replied:
“Nothing, because it isn’t a thing. It’s a made-up word. I hate Islam. It’s a 7th-century barbaric cult. I don’t fear it. I loathe it.”
A separate tweet last week on immigration stated: “This has to stop. Only @reformparty_uk will stop this invasion.”
CMS declined to confirm whether Mr Cooper had left the firm, though Financial News London reported that he had. Efforts to contact Cooper have been unsuccessful, and CMS switchboard operators stated he was unavailable.
Cooper’s LinkedIn profile had previously described him as a senior HR business partner and ‘wellbeing ambassador’ who had worked at CMS since September 2012. Earlier in his career, he was head of HR at the now-defunct London law firm Jeffrey Green Russell.
In a statement, CMS said: “We took prompt and decisive action as soon as we learnt about the nature of the individual’s offensive remarks on social media.
“The views expressed on their personal social media accounts are their own and do not represent those of the firm.
“At CMS we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, and we will be supporting all the individuals affected by this.”
CMS is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading international law firms, distinguished by its substantial headcount and revenue, with a strong presence across Europe, the UK, and globally.
