Farage’s Reform UK meets as new donation scandal hits

British hard-right party Reform UK convened for its annual convention on Friday, under the shadow of a fresh donation scandal. The Brexit advocate, Nigel Farage, aimed to move past multiple controversies surrounding financial gifts that had tarnished his party's image in recent opinion polls. However, just hours before Farage's address, two senior Reform officials, James Orr and Dan Jukes, resigned following an undercover investigation by Channel 4 News.

The investigation alleged that the officials had conspired to secure a foreign donation, which is prohibited under UK electoral law. Reform stated that the officials had stepped down pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The Labour Party and others reported Reform to police over claims that the party received funding from a US firm for three opinion polls it commissioned earlier this year.

Farage, 62, maintained that Reform had "broken no laws" and was a victim of "entrapment." The Met Police said they were "aware" of the reports. Despite recent setbacks, Farage remains the party's most recognizable figure, and Reform's main focus is its anti-immigration policies. The party's deputy leader, Richard Tice, is also facing allegations of failing to declare financial gifts.

Reform hopes to challenge Labour's dominance on the right and currently holds just eight seats in Parliament.