Keir Starmer told MPs it was ‘shocking’ that Reform UK’s former Welsh leader, Nathan Gill, had been jailed for taking Russian bribes – claiming the ‘pro-Putin’ party could not be trusted
Keir Starmer has launched a blistering attack on Nigel Farage, demanding he investigates any further links between Reform and Russia.
In an update in the Commons he said it was “extraordinary” and “shocking” that a former senior figure in Mr Farage’s party had been jailed for over a decade after accepting Russian bribes. Reform UK’s ex-Welsh leader, Nathan Gill, was sentenced to ten-and-a-half years behind bars on Friday after admitting giving scripted speeches while he was a member of the European Parliament.
Mr Starmer told the Commons: “It is shocking that a senior official, a leader in Wales has been jailed for over ten years – a very significant sentence – for pro-Russia bribes. That is extraordinary.
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“And that is why I say, and I say again, the Reform leadership should have the courage to launch an investigation. How on earth did that happen in their party? And what other links are there?”
He made the remarks in response to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who also attacked Reform. Mr Starmer said Vladimir Putin’s merciless bombing “will reinforce once again that Reform with their pro-Putin approach would have absolutely no role in bringing allies together on important issues across the globe”.
It came after Ms Badenoch said: “Given that in the last fortnight the Royal Navy has intercepted two Russian ships in our waters, and with Russian spy ships pointing lasers at RAF pilots, it is a disgrace that Reform are still blaming NATO for Russia’s aggression.
“Although perhaps it should come as no surprise when their former leader in Wales was sent to prison last week for taking bribes from Putin.”
Pressure is growing on Mr Farage to launch an investigation to find out whether Gill’s treachery was a one-off. The shamed politician – who admitted eight counts of blackmail – was elected as a UKIP and then Brexit Party MEP between 2014 and 2020.
But speaking to broadcasters on Monday evening he said: “We are not a police force.” Gill was paid at least £40,000 by former Ukrainian MP Oleg Voloshyn – who was very pro-Russia, at the bidding of Viktor Medvedchuk.
Medvedchuk, a personal friend of Putin, was owner of pro-Russia TV network 112 Ukraine. He was accused of high treason. After the Russian invasion in 2022 he was removed to Russia as part of a prisoner exchange agreement.