BREAKING: Met Police Launch Criminal Investigation Into Reform UK Over Alleged Foreign Funding

The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Reform UK may have breached British electoral law in relation to foreign funding.

The investigation follows an undercover investigation broadcast by Channel 4 News last week, which raised allegations concerning political donations and polling involving Reform UK.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Wednesday that it had received a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party following the Channel 4 News broadcast and an investigation by Verbatim.

Police said the allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

“Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.

The force also said detectives were seeking footage relating to the Channel 4 broadcast as part of their investigation.

ALSO READ: Israel Closes UK Consulate in East Jerusalem as Diplomatic Row Over West Bank Settlements Escalates

Reform UK Denies Wrongdoing

Reform UK has denied wrongdoing and said it would cooperate fully with the police investigation.

A party spokesman said Reform UK would not comment further while the investigation remained ongoing.

The investigation does not mean Reform UK or any individual connected to the party has been found guilty of an offence. Police are examining whether any criminal offences may have occurred.

Investigation Follows Undercover Channel 4 Report

The police investigation follows an undercover operation by Channel 4 News and Verbatim that put the party’s approach to foreign funding under renewed scrutiny.

The investigation involved undercover journalists posing as potential foreign donors.

According to reports about the broadcast, senior Reform figures were recorded discussing arrangements involving political polling and potential funding from a purported American donor.

One of the central allegations concerned more than £30,000 worth of opinion polling that investigators said was connected to a U.S. company.

British electoral law places restrictions on donations to political parties from overseas sources, making the allegations particularly significant.

Reform UK has rejected the suggestion that it knowingly accepted illegal foreign money.

Two Senior Reform Figures Stepped Down

The controversy had already resulted in two senior Reform UK figures stepping down.

Dan Jukes, a senior aide to Reform leader Nigel Farage, and James Orr, the party’s head of policy, left their roles following the undercover investigation.

Both have denied wrongdoing.

Reuters reported that the allegations involved claims that Reform officials arranged for polling worth more than £30,000 to be paid for by a U.S. company. Reform has disputed the interpretation of the events and maintained that no illegal donation was accepted. 

Nigel Farage Rejects Allegations

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also denied that the party broke electoral law.

Farage has described the undercover operation as an attempt to entrap the party and has argued that conversations captured during the investigation did not amount to the acceptance of illegal funds.

The allegations nevertheless triggered calls for further investigation and increased scrutiny of Reform UK’s financial arrangements.

The Electoral Commission has also been involved in examining information connected to the allegations.

What Police Are Investigating

The Metropolitan Police has not publicly determined that Reform UK committed an offence.

Instead, detectives are investigating whether the allegations amount to potential breaches of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

The force said it had received several reports after the Channel 4 broadcast and that the new allegations would be examined alongside existing inquiries concerning donations involving the party.

Police are working with the Electoral Commission and the Crown Prosecution Service as the investigation develops. 

The Metropolitan Police is also seeking access to footage from the Channel 4 investigation.

Political Pressure Grows

The police investigation represents a significant escalation in the controversy surrounding Reform UK’s finances.

The party has been gaining political support and has positioned itself as a major force in British politics under Farage.

The allegations therefore come at a sensitive time for Reform, with the party facing questions over its funding arrangements and the conduct of senior officials.

The investigation also places renewed attention on Britain’s rules governing political donations and the safeguards designed to prevent foreign money from influencing domestic politics.

Reform Says It Will Cooperate

Despite the seriousness of the investigation, Reform UK has said it will cooperate with detectives.

The party has maintained that it has done nothing wrong and has rejected allegations that it knowingly breached electoral law.

The Metropolitan Police investigation is now expected to establish whether any offences were committed and whether there is sufficient evidence for further action.

For now, no criminal charges have been announced.

Investigation Remains Ongoing

The case remains at an early stage, and investigators have not reached a final conclusion.

The Metropolitan Police, Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service will examine the available evidence before deciding what action, if any, should follow.

The development means Reform UK now faces another major test over its finances and internal governance as police investigate allegations surrounding foreign funding.

The central question for investigators will be whether any political funding or polling arrangements breached Britain’s electoral laws.

Until the investigation is concluded, the allegations remain allegations, and Reform UK continues to deny wrongdoing.