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Met Police launches criminal investigation into Reform UK over donations
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The Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into Reform UK over allegations the party broke political donation laws, following an undercover Channel 4 documentary. The documentary appeared to show senior Reform officials Dan Jukes and James Orr discussing with a fake American donor how he could give money to the party despite being ineligible under UK electoral law, which requires donors to be registered UK voters or British-registered companies. Both officials have since stood down from the party. The Met stated they have assessed the information and determined potential offences requiring investigation, and are seeking to obtain relevant footage. The investigation is being conducted in liaison with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service. Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and says it will fully cooperate. Separately, the Met is already examining payments to Reform before the last election, including money from Fiona Cottrell, mother of Nigel Farage ally George Cottrell, and payments from a company controlled by deputy leader Richard Tice that received £1m from Cottrell in June 2024. Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart welcomed the inquiry and called on all Reform MPs to state whether they have benefited from foreign money.
Source report
Detectives have opened an investigation into allegations that Reform UK violated political donation laws, following an undercover investigation by Channel 4.
Background
Senior Reform officials Dan Jukes and James Orr stepped down from the party after the documentary aired last Thursday. The footage appeared to show them discussing with a fake American donor how he could contribute money to the party, despite being ineligible to do so under UK electoral law.
Under current legislation, all political donors must either be registered to vote in the UK or be a company registered in Britain.
Police Statement
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they had "assessed the information provided and determined that there are potential offences requiring investigation."
Detectives are now "seeking to obtain relevant footage" from last Thursday's broadcast.
The statement added: "Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as inquiries progress."
Reform UK Response
A Reform UK spokesman said: "Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and will fully co-operate with the investigation. We won't be commenting further while a live investigation is under way."
Ongoing Investigations
The Metropolitan Police is already investigating whether payments made to Reform UK before the last election breached donation laws. That probe is examining:
- Money given to the party by Fiona Cottrell, mother of longstanding Nigel Farage ally George Cottrell
- Payments from a company controlled by Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice, which received £1 million from Fiona Cottrell in June 2024
Political Reaction
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart said: "We welcome the Met Police's criminal inquiry into Reform's finances, and if proven, Nigel Farage and his cronies should face the full force of the law.
"Every Reform MP urgently needs to state whether they or their campaigns have benefited from any foreign money."
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Source
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Western
Part of this Story
Reform UK aides resign after undercover sting alleging illegal foreign donations