Reform UK deputy leader faces inquiry over Israel visit

Parliament's standards watchdog has launched an investigation into Richard Tice, deputy leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, over a recent House of Commons debate on pro-Israel influence. The inquiry, initiated on July 28 but only made public on Monday, centers on whether Tice should have disclosed his visit to Israel as a guest of a pro-Israel group before delivering his remarks.

Tice has rejected the complaint, asserting that it stems from his opposition to antisemitic claims about Israeli influence in British politics. He further alleged that the complaint was submitted by an "antisemitic anti-Israel lobby group." The inquiry is examining if parliamentary rules required Tice to verbally acknowledge his Israel trip before participating in the June 22 debate.

The trip, organized by Reform Friends of Israel, included flights, accommodation, and hospitality, and was recorded in Parliament's Register of Members' Financial Interests. The debate followed a petition with over 100,000 signatures calling for an inquiry into alleged "pro-Israel influence." Tice dismissed the petition as "antisemitic in its very motivation and at its core," defending the role of parliamentary friendship groups like Conservative Friends of Israel and Labour Friends of Israel.

He also praised Israeli scientists, entrepreneurs, and medical researchers, and welcomed efforts to combat antisemitism within both the Reform UK and Labour parties.