The Metropolitan Police has launched a formal criminal investigation into Reform UK concerning potentially illegal foreign donations. The investigation follows an undercover sting operation by Channel 4 News, which reportedly filmed top party officials facilitating the acceptance of payments via a middle man.
Detectives will examine the party's funding. Opposition parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, called for police action.
Reform UK has suspended its former policy chief, Dr James Orr, and Dan Jukes, an ally of Nigel Farage, pending an investigation. Orr was reportedly filmed arranging a £32,500 payment to polling company JL Partners from undercover journalists posing as supporters. Jukes also appeared to suggest Reform UK received payments from foreign benefactors, though Farage later stated these claims were untrue and represented "loose pub talk." Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing.
A Met spokesman confirmed that following a Channel 4 News broadcast on Thursday, September 3, the police received reports related to donations and polling involving a political party. Detectives have assessed the information and determined there are "potential offences requiring investigation," which are similar to matters already under investigation by the Met's Special Enquiry Team. These allegations relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Detectives are seeking relevant footage from the broadcast.