Paul Bean,  a councillor for Crook ward at Durham county council, is under investigation after he declared his day job as a civil servant at the Home Office in his register of interests.

According to the Guardian, Bean is under investigation by Home Office officials whether any of the civil service code has been breached.

The code states that all civil servants should be politically impartial and that they must not “allow personal political views to determine any advice you give or your actions”.

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Bean’s role at the Home Office was revealed after an investigation by Hope Not Hate found posts by the Reform councillor criticising asylum seekers on social media.

“I work as an asylum decision maker for the HO [Home Office] and I can tell you with authority that 93% of asylum seekers to the UK are men between 18-35 and 92% of them are refused asylum,” a post which is believed to belong to Bean said.

The post added: “The truth is the vast majority of asylum seekers are actually economic migrants abusing the asylum system.” 

Another said: “Ninety-seven percent of asylum seekers are lying about persecution in their home countries and the other 3% have been credible to the point of being believable.

“Source: me. Guess what job I do.”

According to the UK Government’s own most recent statistics, almost half of asylum seekers win their cases, with more granted asylum after an appeal.

The account also heavily criticises Reform, with posts saying that Nigel Farage has “submitted” to Islam and that he looks down on working-class people.

Earlier this week it was reported that Bean was suspended by Reform over his comments on asylum seekers on social media. 

A spokesperson for Durham council said: “Due to relevant legislation, Cllr Paul Bean currently remains as a councillor representing Reform UK until we are informed by the party that he has ‘ceased’ to be a member.

“Generally, where councillors are suspended as part of their group or party discipline, this is a neutral act pending the outcome of an investigation. Until then, Cllr Bean will continue to sit on the committees he has been appointed to, and our website will reflect his unchanged status.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “While it is our longstanding policy not to comment on individual cases, all civil servants must adhere to the civil service code, and are expected to carry out their role with integrity, honesty, objectivity and political impartiality.

“Whenever the civil service code is breached, the matter will be fully investigated and disciplinary action taken as appropriate.”

Bean has been contacted for comment.