Police Launch Investigation Into Reform UK Donations After Channel 4 Documentary

Detectives have launched an investigation into allegations that Reform UK broke the law on political donations after an undercover Channel 4 investigation.

Senior Reform officials Dan Jukes and James Orr stood down from the party after the documentary was broadcast last Thursday night.

It appeared to show them discussing with a fake American donor how he could give money to the party, despite being ineligible to do so.

Under electoral law, all political donors must either be registered to vote in the UK or a company registered in Britain.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had “assessed the information provided and determined that there are potential offences requiring investigation”.

Detectives are “seeking to obtain relevant footage” from last Thursday’s broadcast.

The statement added: “Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as inquiries progress.”

A Reform spokesman said: “Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and will fully co-operate with the investigation.

“We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is under way.”

The Met is already investigating whether payments to Reform before the last election broke donation laws.

The probe is examining money given to the party by Fiona Cottrell, who is the mother of longstanding Nigel Farage ally, George Cottrell.

Detectives are also investigating payments from a company controlled by Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice, which received £1m from Fiona Cottrell in June 2024.

Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart said: “We welcome the Met Police’s criminal inquiry into Reform’s finances, and if proven, Nigel Farage and his cronies should face the full force of the law.

“Every Reform MP urgently needs to state whether they or their campaigns have benefited from any foreign money.”

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