Reform UK faces a deepening probe into its funding practices following the resignations of two key personnel. The party’s head of policy, James Orr, and long-serving aide to Nigel Farage, Dan Jukes, have both stepped down. These departures come amidst serious allegations regarding undeclared foreign donations.
Party leader Nigel Farage has dismissed the claims as “loose pub talk” that “simply were not true.” However, the party has initiated an internal investigation into the allegations. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies have been alerted to potential breaches of political donation rules concerning Reform UK funding.
The controversy centres on accusations that an overseas company paid for Reform UK’s polling. Such an arrangement, including in-kind donations like polling services, could constitute a criminal offence under UK law. Rival parties have already reported Reform UK to the police.
Mr. Farage, speaking at a Birmingham conference, strongly denied any illegal activity. He maintained that Reform UK had not broken any laws or accepted illicit money. Meanwhile, Mr. Jukes denied wrongdoing, asserting he was a victim of entrapment.
Mr. Farage did concede that comments made by Mr. Orr and Mr. Jukes were “injudicious at best.” He was specifically addressing footage where Mr. Jukes reportedly discussed past instances of disguised foreign funding. Farage insisted these were mere “boasts” without factual basis.
“The names mentioned in the video do not exist in our accounts,” he stated to reporters. This ongoing controversy has overshadowed a significant announcement. Earlier, Mr. Farage and French National Rally president Jordan Bardella unveiled a plan. They vowed to cooperate on stopping Channel crossings if their parties secure power.
Reports claim that undercover journalists posed as an American financier and his son. They allegedly provided funding for three polls commissioned by Reform UK, totalling £32,500. Foreign companies are not permitted to contribute to political parties. This includes payments for research or studies, directly impacting Reform UK funding eligibility.
The Electoral Commission confirmed it is “considering all relevant information.” It has also made contact with the Metropolitan Police. Both Mr. Farage and Mr. Jukes have publicly accused the reporters of “entrapment.”
Initially, Mr. Farage sought to distance himself from the two individuals. He described them as “contractors” who said “injudicious things.” However, he later acknowledged his long and close working relationship with Mr. Jukes. “I don’t like it at all,” Farage told journalists about Jukes’s departure. Mr. Orr had served as the party’s head of policy since February.
