UK Police Expand Reform UK Criminal Probe After Fresh Funding Allegations
Expansion of the Reform UK Criminal Investigation
LONDON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - British police said on Wednesday a criminal investigation into the populist Reform UK party would be widened to include allegations made in a documentary that officials planned to break electoral law on foreign funding.
Reform, led by veteran Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, denied any wrongdoing and a spokesman for the party said it would "fully cooperate" with the investigation.
Background on the Allegations
Farage, under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog about earlier donations, was forced to sack two of his closest aides last week, after the undercover investigation was aired.
Details of the Undercover Documentary
It showed two senior officials in Reform - then head of policy James Orr and Farage's former right-hand man, Dan Jukes - speaking about funding with a supposed U.S. businessman and his British-based son, including conversations about a payment for three opinion polls commissioned by the party.
Reform UK’s Response to Allegations
On Friday, Reform launched an internal investigation and denied the allegations, saying the party had been the victim of a hoax. Farage described some of the comments as little more than "loose pub talk".
Police Investigation Details
London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement its detectives had assessed a number of "reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party" and had decided "there are potential offences requiring investigation".
Nature of Potential Offences
"The potential offences are similar in nature to matters already under investigation by the Met's Special Enquiry Team relating to donations made to the same political party. As a result, these matters will form part of that ongoing investigation."
Previous Investigations into Reform UK
London's police said in July they were investigating Reform for potential offences under laws governing donations to political parties, which could include concealment of the source of funding or giving false information to the treasurer of a party.
Impact of the Investigation on Reform UK
PRESSURE ON REFORM
Political Fallout and Public Perception
The widening of the criminal investigation piles pressure on Reform, whose commanding lead in opinion polls has faltered over the funding allegations, including a £5 million gift to Farage, focus of the parliamentary probe.
Reform's annual conference last week, when Farage wanted to set a vision for Reform's first 100 days in power if it wins the next national election, was overshadowed by the undercover investigation, conducted by investigative group Verbatim.
Party’s Public Response
Instead of talking about a national election, which must be held by mid-2029 at the latest, Reform spent almost equal amounts of time either vigorously denying the accusations or trying to ignore them.
"We won't be commenting further while a live investigation is underway," the Reform spokesman said.
(Reporting by Sam Tobin, Sam Tabahriti, Andrew MacAskill, Alistair Smout; writing by Elizabeth Piper, editing by Sarah Young and William James)
