Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham is continuing today, with speeches from figures including Lee Anderson, Zia Yusuf, and Robert Jenrick, ahead of Nigel Farage's closing remarks. However, the event has been overshadowed by a scandal involving senior party figures.
James Orr, Reform's head of policy, and Dan Jukes, a close aide to Nigel Farage, have been permanently suspended. Robert Jenrick, the party's treasury spokesperson, confirmed the suspensions to Times Radio, stating that an investigation will take place to learn all the facts and give the individuals a right of reply. Neither Orr nor Jukes have commented on the allegations.
The controversy stems from an undercover investigation that reportedly caught senior Reform figures discussing potential foreign donations, leading to renewed scrutiny of the party's finances. The row also exposed divisions within the party, with home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf distancing himself from Orr and Jukes, telling reporters that "anyone who supports Reform is disappointed."
During Farage's speech yesterday, protesters were reportedly assaulted by Reform supporters. The New Arab reported that the protesters raised the issue of an undeclared £5m gift to Reform, which has become a key focus of the controversy.