Met Police Launches Criminal Investigation Into Reform UK Over Foreign Donor Claims

Met Police Launches Criminal Investigation Into Reform UK Over Foreign Donor Claims The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Reform UK may have breached British electoral law over foreign political donations, adding to growing scrutiny of the party’s finances. The investigation follows an undercover operation broadcast by Channel 4 News in which two senior Reform UK figures were filmed discussing potential funding arrangements with people posing as a wealthy American donor and his UK-based son. The footage appeared to show discussions about how money from an overseas source could potentially be channelled to Reform UK, raising questions over whether electoral rules governing political donations could have been breached. Under UK electoral law, political parties are restricted from accepting donations from foreign individuals or organisations that are not permissible donors under the relevant legislation. The Metropolitan Police said detectives had assessed reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party and concluded that there were potential offences requiring investigation. The new allegations will be incorporated into an existing investigation by the force’s Special Enquiry Team concerning donations to Reform UK. The police are also seeking relevant footage from the Channel 4 investigation and are liaising with the Electoral Commission and the Crown Prosecution Service as the inquiry progresses. Two senior Reform UK figures, Dan Jukes and James Orr, stepped down from their positions following the broadcast. The party subsequently launched its own internal investigation into the allegations. Reform UK has denied wrongdoing and said it will fully cooperate with the Metropolitan Police investigation. The party has also maintained that no illegal foreign donation was actually received. Party leader Nigel Farage has dismissed the undercover operation as an attempt to entrap Reform UK. He has argued that comments captured during the operation amounted to informal discussions and insisted that the party had not broken electoral law. The latest investigation is separate from, but connected to, wider questions surrounding Reform UK’s finances. The Metropolitan Police was already examining other donations made to the party, including payments linked to a company controlled by deputy leader Richard Tice. The party has faced increasing political pressure over its funding arrangements in recent months, including scrutiny surrounding a £5 million personal gift received by Farage from businessman Christopher Harborne in 2024. The latest allegations have also created difficulties for Reform UK as it seeks to build momentum ahead of the next UK general election. The party has enjoyed significant electoral gains and has frequently led opinion polls, making scrutiny of its finances particularly politically sensitive. However, the police investigation does not mean that Reform UK or any individual involved has been found guilty of an offence. Detectives are still assessing the evidence and determining whether any criminal offences have been committed. The Electoral Commission and CPS are expected to remain involved as investigators examine the available evidence and determine whether further action is warranted. For now, Reform UK has said it will cooperate with the investigation while declining to comment further on the details of the live case.