Britain’s Metropolitan Police have launched a criminal investigation into Reform UK over allegations that senior party officials discussed ways of circumventing electoral rules governing foreign political donations, following an undercover investigation broadcast last week.
The investigation centres on allegations that two senior Reform UK figures discussed arrangements through which money originating from an overseas donor could potentially benefit the party. One proposed donation discussed during the undercover operation was worth £500,000, although the payment was never made.
The Metropolitan Police said the allegations under investigation concern potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Detectives are working with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as the inquiry progresses.
The Electoral Commission has separately confirmed that it is considering relevant information and is in contact with police. Under UK rules, political parties are responsible for ensuring donations come from permissible sources, while potential attempts to evade donation controls are matters for police investigation.
The controversy followed an undercover investigation in which Dan Jukes, then chief of staff to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, appeared to suggest that money from an American donor could be donated in the name of the donor’s UK-based son. Former policy chief James Orr was also recorded discussing whether the overseas donor could finance polling connected with a Reform campaign.
Jukes and Orr subsequently left their senior roles. Jukes has denied wrongdoing and said he stepped back from politics to clear his name, while Orr has said he would cooperate with the party’s internal investigation.
Farage was also filmed at a lunch where the potential £500,000 donation was discussed. He has said he was not listening to that part of the conversation and dismissed some of his former aide’s comments as loose talk. There is no suggestion at this stage that Farage has been charged with an offence.
Reform UK has denied wrongdoing and said it will cooperate fully with the police investigation. No criminal charges have been announced, and the opening of an investigation does not establish that the party or any individual broke the law.
The latest inquiry is being incorporated into an existing Metropolitan Police investigation examining other donations connected with Reform UK. Detectives are now seeking footage from the undercover investigation as they continue examining whether electoral laws were breached.
