The Met Police has confirmed it has launched a full investigation after Channel 4 broadcast footage appearing to show senior Reform UK figures discussing potentially illegal foreign funding
Detectives have launched a criminal investigation after a TV sting appeared to show senior Reform UK figures discussing illegal foreign funding.
The Met Police said in a statement that officers had identified potential offences in clips broadcast by Channel 4 News last Thursday. Two of Nigel Farage’s top aides, Dan Jukes and James Orr, have been suspended by the party as a result – but Reform insists it has done nothing wrong.
Mr Farage – who also appears in the footage – has previously claimed the duo were victims of entrapment. Accepting donations from a foreign company could constitute a criminal offence.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Following a broadcast by Channel 4 News on Thursday, September 3, the Met received a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party.
“Detectives have assessed the information provided and determined that there are potential offences requiring investigation.”
The force is already investigating two donations totalling £500,000 to the party in 2024, amid questions about the source of the money. The statement continued: “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.
“All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. As part of enquiries, detectives are seeking to obtain relevant footage relating to the broadcast on Thursday, September 3.
“Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress.”
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and will fully cooperate with the investigation. We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is underway.”
Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, Mr Farage claimed to “know donation law better than anybody” and said Mr Dukes and Mr Orr “should have done basic checks” before bringing potential donors to meet him.
He said he “frankly wasn’t even listening” during a meeting with the undercover reporters in Clacton, adding: “I was told there was a global family office based in London, so the money could have come from Singapore.
“The money could come from all over the world, you know. Income could have come from all over the world into a family office based in London.”
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