Reform UK Under Investigation After Undercover Sting Over Foreign Donations

Reform UK is facing allegations of breaching electoral laws after an undercover investigation by Verbatim Investigations, founded by the Centre for Climate Reporting, was broadcast by Channel 4 News. The footage appears to show senior party officials discussing ways to secure foreign funding, which is illegal under UK law. Dan Jukes, a senior aide to Nigel Farage, was filmed suggesting that a donation from a wealthy American businessman could be channeled through the man's UK based son to bypass permissible donor rules. James Orr, the party's head of policy, was also filmed discussing the arrangement for polling paid for by the American donor. Channel 4 News reports that Reform commissioned three polls costing 32,500 pounds in total, which were not publicly attributed to the party or reported to the Electoral Commission. Nigel Farage was filmed in a meeting with the undercover operatives where he described the situation as above board and later praised the polling results as amazing. Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing, claiming the party was the target of a hoax by foreign funded climate change activists. The party has launched internal investigations into Jukes and Orr. The Liberal Democrats have reported the matter to the Metropolitan Police and the Electoral Commission, while the Labour Party and the Green Party have also called for investigations. The Metropolitan Police stated they are assessing the reports. This development occurs as Reform UK holds its annual conference and as Farage faces a separate parliamentary watchdog inquiry regarding a 5 million pound donation from a crypto billionaire.