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Police Launch Criminal Investigation into Reform UK Donations
Confirmed
In Short: The Metropolitan Police is investigating allegations that Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, broke foreign funding laws.
The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into Reform UK following a broadcast by Channel 4 News, which alleged the party received foreign funding in violation of UK laws.
A Met spokesperson stated that the investigation is related to potential offenses under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, and that detectives are seeking footage from the broadcast.
Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and has pledged to cooperate fully with the investigation, stating that the party was the victim of a hoax by climate activists.
The investigation follows an undercover investigation by Verbatim, which captured Reform figures discussing how to disguise foreign donations, and was broadcast during the party's annual conference.
Reform UK has launched its own internal investigation and maintains its denial of any wrongdoing, while the police continue to liaise with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service.
What's confirmed
- The Metropolitan Police is carrying out a criminal investigation into allegations Reform UK broke the law in relation to foreign funding, following a broadcast by Channel 4 News last week.
- A Met spokesperson said it had received "a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party", following the broadcast of a film by Channel 4 News and Verbatim Investigations.
- A Reform UK spokesman said the party "denies any wrongdoing and will fully cooperate with the investigation".
- Scotland Yard said there are “potential offences requiring investigation” stemming from a report by Channel 4 News which allegedly showed senior Reform figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources.
What's still developing
- "We won't be commenting further while a live investigation is under way." You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App.
- The Metropolitan Police in London announced the launch of a criminal investigation into allegations against the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, regarding breaches of donation regulations.
- The police stated they have identified potential offenses after evaluating information from undercover reporters who filmed party officials allegedly violating electoral law by arranging for a foreign donor to sponsor political polling.
- Reform — which has seen its commanding lead in opinion polls falter over other allegations about a £5 million gift to Farage — denied any wrongdoing and said the party had been the victim of a hoax perpetrated by climate activists.
- Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Reform UK breached foreign donation rules.
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- It follows an undercover investigation, which aired last week, that captured leader Nigel Farage and his aides on camera talking about foreign donations.
- London's Metropolitan Police said in a statement its detectives had assessed a number of "reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party" and had decided "there are potential offences requiring investigation".