Reform UK convention LIVE: Nigel Farage to ship speech as two key occasion figures step down over ‘overseas donations’ declare

The Mirror’s Assistant Political Editor Alexander Brown here

It is hard to overstate what a disastrous beginning to Reform party conference this is for Nigel Farage.

In a sign of how serious this is, the party has suspended the two men, perhaps realising this is not an allegation they can simply ignore.

Having called a by-election to try and deflect from his own £5 million “gift” from a Thai-based billionaire, the party now faces even more questions, and Mr Farage has lost a long-serving ally while Reform investigates.

Dan Jukes is not simply a guy who works at Reform, he’s held the title of director of communications since the age of 19, and is now 28. He’s been by Mr Farage’s side since he was an MEP, and all through the Brexit campaign. This is not random staffer being suspended, it is Mr Farage’s closest ally, and his voice for the media.

It’s also worth noting the story does not end with the internal investigation. Police are looking into the matter, and two men being suspended doesn’t stop the need for answers.

Reform has tried to frame the conference around showing what their first 100 days of Government would look like. Instead, it begins with explosive revelations, the loss of his communications director, and more questions about the party’s finances.