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Met Police launches criminal investigation into Reform UK over foreign donations
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The Metropolitan Police has launched a formal criminal investigation into Reform UK, the political party led by Nigel Farage, over potential breaches of electoral law involving illegal foreign donations. The investigation follows an undercover sting operation by Channel 4 News, which filmed top party officials facilitating the acceptance of payments via a middleman. Reform UK suspended its former policy chief Dr James Orr and Dan Jukes, a close ally of Farage, pending investigation after they were filmed. Orr was recorded organizing a £32,500 payment to polling company JL Partners from undercover journalists posing as supporters. Jukes appeared to suggest the party received payments from foreign benefactors, though Farage later dismissed these claims as 'loose pub talk.' The police were prompted to act by opposition parties including Labour and the Liberal Democrats. A Met spokesman confirmed detectives are investigating potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and are seeking to obtain relevant footage from the broadcast.
Source report
The Metropolitan Police has launched a formal criminal investigation into Reform UK over potentially illegal foreign donations, following an undercover sting operation by Channel 4 News.
The investigation was prompted after senior party officials were filmed facilitating the acceptance of payments via a middleman. Opposition parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, called on the police to act.
Party Officials Suspended
Reform UK has suspended its former policy chief Dr James Orr and Dan Jukes, a close ally of Nigel Farage, pending an investigation. The two were filmed during the undercover probe.
- Orr was filmed organising a £32,500 payment to the polling company JL Partners, made by undercover journalists posing as supporters. The company later published research showing Reform UK leading Labour.
- Jukes appeared to suggest that Reform UK received payments from foreign benefactors. Farage later said that portion of the speech was redacted in the tapes because Jukes' claims were untrue.
Farage Denies Wrongdoing
Over the weekend, Farage stated that the party had not taken any illegal cash and described the information provided by Orr and Jukes to undercover journalists as "loose pub talk." Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing.
Police Statement on 'Potential Offences'
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said:
"Following a broadcast by Channel 4 News on Thursday, September 3, the Met received a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party.
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"Detectives have assessed the information provided and determined that there are potential offences requiring investigation. The potential offences are similar in nature to matters already under investigation by the Met's Special Enquiry Team relating to donations made to the same political party. As a result, these matters will form part of that ongoing investigation.
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"All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
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"As part of enquiries, detectives are seeking to obtain relevant footage relating to the broadcast on Thursday, September 3."
Source
City AMWestern
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Reform UK aides resign after undercover sting alleging illegal foreign donations