Farage’s Reform UK Faces Funding Probe

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK has launched an internal investigation following a Channel 4 report into a possible breach of political party financing rules. Two senior party officials caught on hidden camera have temporarily stepped down.

According to the investigative team at Verbatim, which posed as a potential donor, the officials were expected to arrange for an American company to pay more than £30,000 ($40,000) for three opinion polls commissioned by Reform UK. Such an arrangement could violate the UK ban on foreign donations to political parties.

Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and says it was targeted in a sting operation by foreign-funded climate activists. James Orr, the party’s policy chief, argued that the polls were not commissioned by Reform UK and did not constitute a non-monetary donation. He said they were arranged by an independent individual who paid an independent agency, with the results subsequently published.

The governing Labour Party has asked the Metropolitan Police to investigate possible criminal offenses. Labour also pointed to discussions about rerouting a contribution from an American donor through his son, who lives in Britain, as well as indications that similar practices may have been used in the past.

The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the allegations and would assess any information it received, but had not yet launched a formal investigation. The Electoral Commission noted that political parties must report all permitted donations exceeding £11,180 ($14,900), as well as prohibited donations exceeding £500 ($670). It said any attempts to circumvent campaign finance rules should be investigated by police.

(Reuters, bak)