Police widen criminal probe into Reform UK over foreign funding claims

The Metropolitan Police has initiated a formal criminal investigation into Reform UK in connection with possible illegal foreign donations. This decision came after top party officials were captured on camera facilitating the acceptance of payments through a middle man. The investigation will focus on the party's funding in light of an undercover sting operation conducted by Channel 4 News. Opposition parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, prompted the police to take action.

Reform UK suspended two of its key officials, Dr James Orr and Dan Jukes, who were both filmed in the probe. Orr was seen organizing a £32,500 payment to the polling company JL Partners, allegedly made by undercover journalists posing as supporters. This payment was later used for research that revealed a lead for Reform UK over Labour.

Jukes also appeared to suggest that the party received payments from foreign benefactors. However, Nigel Farage later clarified that the speech where Jukes made these claims was redacted due to inaccuracies.

Farage stated that Reform UK had not received any illegal cash and described Orr and Jukes' statements to undercover journalists as "loose pub talk." Reform UK has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The Met Police spokesperson revealed that the investigation into these potential offenses is similar to other ongoing investigations by the Special Enquiry Team regarding donations to the same political party.

All allegations under investigation pertain to potential offenses under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Detectives are currently seeking to obtain relevant footage from the broadcast on September 3, 2024. Reform UK has stated that they will cooperate fully with the investigation but will not comment further until the investigation is concluded.