Reform MP and party chair Lee Anderson has delivered his verdict on whether Nigel Farage should resign following the latest controversy over donations. Mr Anderson said: “Nigel is going nowhere.” And he added: “Nigel is an honest man”.
Mr Anderson spoke after two Reform UK officials stepped down and the party launched an investigation, following allegations they breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company. James Orr and Dan Jukes have quit their senior roles within Reform, a party spokesperson said.
Rival parties had reported Reform to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that Reform took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year, costing £32,500.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK has launched an investigation following the broadcast of a Channel 4 News programme.
“Both individuals involved have stepped down from their respective positions pending the outcome of the investigation.
“The party believes it is important that the investigation is allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice. No further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing.”
It comes as Reform is gathering its members in Birmingham for the party’s annual conference, with Nigel Farage set to deliver his leader’s speech.
But Mr Anderson told Times Radio that Mr Farage was not responsible for any alleged wrongdoing.
He said: “I don’t think Nigel has got any questions on this. The two people involved, they have gone. They have left the building. I keep saying this time and time again. They have gone. That is the right thing to do. They are not coming back and Nigel is going nowhere.
“I will speak to Nigel later. Nigel is an honest man. I have known him for many years now. The party has done the right thing by launching this investigation. Nigel will be on the main stage later on explaining our first 100 days in government. He is not going anywhere. The country needs him.
“The country needs Reform and they are going to get Reform. This is a huge distraction, obviously. One we could have done without. My focus and the party’s focus is on membership this afternoon.”
He said his party is launching a full investigation into the allegations:
“We are launching a full investigation today as to what is about the breaking news over the past 12 hours or so. It is only right and proper that we do that and that we are totally transparent and open and honest about this investigation. I think they have made the right decision. They have gone and left the building. Let’s crack on with the investigation. More importantly, let’s crack on with the conference today.”
But he said there was a need to investigate what had happened.
“The whole situation which has come to light over the past 12 hours or so. We want a full and transparent and open investigation. How this has come… How a far-left radical eco group has got this close to Reform.”
Mr Farage is expected to give the first of his two conference speeches on Friday afternoon, in which he will promise to declare a “national emergency” on his first day in government, introducing a flood of legislation and doing “anything and everything” to deliver his party’s policies.
He will say: “Within days of winning the general election, we will introduce dozens of Bills and force Parliament to sit all through summer for seven days a week to pass them.
“Britain is in serious trouble. We don’t have time to wait around to fix it.”
The two-day conference in Birmingham is expected to hear from other senior Reform figures setting out their own pledges for their first 100 days in office, as well as an address from Jordan Bardella, leader of the French National Rally.
Mr Farage is expected to announce that any frontbenchers who fail to deliver on their pledges “will be sacked”.
He is also due to make his own promise to focus on reducing the cost of living and lead on efforts to end small boat crossings in the Channel.