Met Police Launch Investigation Into Reform Donations

The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into Reform UK over allegations it broke electoral law on foreign donations.

The probe follows an undercover investigation by Verbatim Media that aired on Channel 4 News last week, which appeared to show senior figures discussing ways to get round rules banning foreign donations.

Reform’s head of policy James Orr and senior advisor Dan Jukes have since stepped down from their roles.

Orr was filmed apparently discussing how a fake US donor could pay for £30k of polling commissioned by Reform, while Jukes seemingly talked about the possibility of getting foreign cash to the party, including a £500k payment, from the same donor. 

Party leader Nigel Farage was also caught on camera allegedly celebrating foreign donations. He has denied any wrongdoing and described his senior aides’ comments as “loose pub talk”. 

A spokesperson for Reform UK said the party denies any wrongdoing and “will fully cooperate with the investigation”. 

The criminal investigation by the Met’s special enquiry team is being rolled into another inquiry currently underway into separate donations to Reform UK. 

In a statement, a Met spokesperson said: “All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.”

Detectives have reached out to Channel 4 News to obtain footage related to the investigation. The spokesperson said it was liaising closely with the Electoral Commission and the Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress.