Metropolitan Police examine Reform UK foreign funding allegations
Constantvpn.com – The Metropolitan Police has opened a criminal investigation into claims that Reform UK may have breached rules governing political donations from overseas. The inquiry follows undercover footage that appeared to show senior party aides discussing possible ways to obtain financial support connected to a foreign donor.
Detectives from the Met’s Special Enquiry Team are adding the latest allegations to an existing investigation into other donations linked to the party. The case concerns potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, the legislation that sets the framework for party finance in the UK.
“All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.”
The force said officers remain in close contact with the Electoral Commission and the Crown Prosecution Service while enquiries continue. Detectives are also seeking to obtain footage connected with the broadcast that prompted the new stage of the investigation.
Undercover recording raised questions over a £500,000 donation
The footage involved an undercover investigator presenting himself as the son of an American donor. He raised the issue that his father could not lawfully give money directly to a UK political party.
Under electoral law, individuals making permissible donations to British political parties must generally be registered to vote in the UK. Companies can also donate if they are registered and carrying on business in the UK. Those restrictions are intended to prevent overseas money from influencing domestic elections.
In the recording, Dan Jukes, who was chief of staff to Reform leader Nigel Farage, appeared to suggest that a contribution could be made in the name of the donor’s UK-based son, even though the funds would have come from the American father. One proposed donation was said to have been worth £500,000.
James Orr, then Reform’s head of policy, was also recorded discussing an alternative approach: the American father paying for opinion polling that could support a Reform campaign. Political spending rules can apply not only to money handed directly to a party but also to services or activities provided for its benefit, depending on the circumstances.
Whether any arrangement would amount to an unlawful donation will be a matter for investigators. A police inquiry does not establish that an offence has been committed; it means allegations are being examined under the relevant criminal and electoral law.
Party figures step down
The controversy dominated Reform UK’s conference in Birmingham and was followed by the departure of two prominent staff members. Jukes and Orr both left their roles after the allegations emerged.
Jukes has rejected the suggestion of wrongdoing and said he had removed himself from political life while seeking to clear his name.
“Any wrongdoing”
He said he had “stepped back from politics in order to clear my name”. Orr previously said he would cooperate fully with Reform UK’s internal investigation.
Reform UK has said it will cooperate with the police while firmly disputing the allegations.
“Denies any wrongdoing and will fully cooperate with the investigation”.
The party added:
“We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is under way.”
Existing inquiry into donations before the election
The fresh allegations have been incorporated into a separate Met investigation that was already examining whether payments received by Reform UK in the weeks before the last election complied with donation law.
That earlier inquiry includes donations made directly to the party by Fiona Cottrell, the mother of George Cottrell, a longstanding ally of Nigel Farage. It also covers payments from a company controlled by Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice.
The company received £1m from Fiona Cottrell in June 2024. Investigators are examining the nature and compliance of those transactions under the rules governing political funding.
Donation law requires parties to check that contributors are eligible, accurately record reportable gifts and submit required information to the Electoral Commission. The rules cover direct financial contributions and may also apply where goods, services or campaigning support are provided at a discounted rate or without charge.
For voters, the case highlights why the origin of political funding is closely regulated. Elections depend on transparent financial arrangements, particularly when donations are large or when the person providing the money has links outside the UK. The investigation will seek to establish what was proposed, what money or support was actually provided, and whether any legal requirements were breached.
No timetable has been announced for the conclusion of the Met’s enquiries. The police, Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service will continue to assess the evidence as the investigation develops.
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