Who is Nathan Gill – shamed ex-Nigel Farage ally who accepted Russian bribes
Nathan Gill, a former ally of Nigel Farage, led Reform UK in Wales before he counter terror cops discovered incriminating WhatsApp messages on his phone
A disgraced former Reform UK heavyweight has been jailed for accepting Russian bribes.
Nathan Gill, 52, was snared by counter terrorism police after incriminating WhatsApps revealed messages between him and Ukrainian tycoon Oleg Voloshyn. Gill, a former member of the European Parliament (MEP) took cash from Voloshyn and gave scripted pro-Russian speeches and TV comments in exchange.
The shamed politican, who was Reform’s leader in Wales and previously represented UKIP and the Brexit Party, admitted eight counts of bribery. He was jailed for 10-and-a-half years at the Old Bailey on Friday morning.
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Nathan Gill’s political career
Gill, 52, was leader of Reform UK Wales for nearly two months in 2021 during Senedd election campaigns. He was previously leader of UKIP Wales between December, 2014 and 2016.
He served as a Member of the European Parliament representing Wales between 2014 and 2020. He was also a Member of the Assembly or AM (now called Member of the Senedd or MS) for North Wales, between 2016 and 2017.
Gill was elected as a UKIP, and later Brexit Party, MEP between 2014 and 2020. Gill went on to become leader of Reform UK Wales between March and May 2021. He led the party’s Senedd/Welsh Parliament election campaign – but has not been a member since 2021.
Former bishop and businessman
The married father-of-five is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, and served as Mormon bishop.
Asked in 2016 how Mr Farage found his absistence from alcohol, he said: “Nigel is quite a famous drinker and does like his pint, but it doesn’t exclude me from anything.
“It makes me see things from a different perspective, I think, and my colleagues definitely respect me for the faith I have.”
The businessman, founding and managing Burgill Ltd in 2004 with his mother, which provided domicillary and home care services to Hull City Council, before the company went into administration.
Support from Farage and Tice before crimes came to light
Gill was previously an ally of Nigel Farage – who has described him as a “bad apple”. In May 2016 he was among a team of UKIP politicians elected to the National Assembly, as it was then called. He had led UKIP in Wales, having been appointed by Mr Farage.
Farage also backed Gill to be leader of the UKIP group in the National Assembly for Wales and when he lost to former Conservative MP Neil Hamilton, Farage said it was an “unjust act of deep ingratitude”.
In a 2017 tweet, Gill wished Mr Farage a happy birthday, describing him as “my friend and colleague”. Richard Tice, Reform UK’s deputy leader, has also shared images of himself with Gill. In April 2021 he said it was “great to be with Nathan Gill, leader of Reform UK Wales campaigning today”.
WhatsApps discovered after counter terror stop
Gill’s activities emerged in WhatsApp messages on his phone after he was stopped at Manchester Airport on September 13 2021 under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC said a “long sequence” of messages started in September 2018. These showed Gill agreed to make introductions in the European Parliament, as well as discussing “enlisting the support of several MEPs”.
Mr Heywood told the court: “There is clear evidence of agreements to act in a particular way, or to a particular script, for sums of money.” He went on to reveal that Voloshyn refered to payments as “Xmas gifts”.
What did Gill do?
The Old Bailey heard that Gill had given scripted speeches in the European Parliament for cash.
He also spoke up for Vladimir Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk, who faced treason allegations in Ukraine.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said Gill accepted money in “exchange for the improper execution of your public duties”. The judge said Gill had “advanced narratives advantageous to Russian interests concerning Ukraine”.
“This was a period of considerable turmoil in Ukraine, and a prelude to the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022,” she said.
The judge said Gill had enlisted MEPs representing the North East of England, South West of England and North West of England to give interviews to news channel 112 Ukraine, for which he received 5,000 euros.
“I must make it clear that the case has not been presented on the basis that those individuals knew how you were acting, namely that you had been promised altogether 5,000 euros for it,” she said.
“Voloshyn described your work as outstanding.”
What has Nigel Farage said?
The Reform UK leader has described Gill as a “bad apple” – and said he was “shocked” after he admitted bribery.
Mr Farage said: “Any political party can find in their midst all sorts of terrible people. Gill is particularly shocking because I knew him as a devout Christian, very clean-living, honest person.
“So I’m deeply shocked. But you know, that is a different time. I’m the only one (in Reform) that really knew him, going back a long way.”
The Clacton MP added: “You can never, ever guarantee 100% that everyone you meet in your life, you shake hands with in the pub, is a good person.”
