Criminal probe launched after foreign donor claims in TV documentary
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK was the subject of an undercover sting about donations (Image: Getty)
The Met Police has launched a criminal investigation into Reform UK donations following an undercover sting.
Two senior figures – long-term Nigel Farage aide Dan Jukes, who denies wrongdoing, and head of policy James Orr – have been suspended pending an internal probe following allegations the Party breached foreign donor rules.
A Met spokesman said it had received “a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party”.
He added: “All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
“Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress.”
No arrests have been made.
Rival parties had reported Reform UK to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that Mr Farages party took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year, costing £32,500.
The purported donors that appeared in the footage broadcast on Thursday night were in fact undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.
Foreign companies are not a permissible source of funding for parties, including for payments for studies and research, and accepting donations from them could constitute a criminal offence.
Reform UK “denies any wrongdoing” and will “fully co-operate” with the Metropolitan Police investigation, a spokesman said.
He added: “We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is under way.”
On Friday, Mr Jukes said in a statement: “This was entrapment over a prolonged period of nearly a year by foreign-funded, climate change activists.
“I totally deny any wrongdoing but have stepped back from politics in order to clear my name.”