Labour to refer Reform UK to police over funding allegations
Labour is set to report Reform UK to the police over allegations that the party breached political donation rules by accepting polling financed by an overseas business, reports BritPanorama.
According to Channel 4 News, Nigel Farage’s party received £32,500 from a US company to fund three surveys this year. The supposed financial backers were actually undercover reporters from the investigative group Verbatim, posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.
Electoral law prohibits foreign companies from funding political parties, including payments for research and studies. These revelations come amid increasing scrutiny of funding received by Farage and his party.
Furthermore, the leader of Reform UK is facing a parliamentary investigation regarding a £5 million gift from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne, given shortly before Farage was elected to the Commons in 2024.
Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson stated, “This scandal goes right to the top of Reform UK. Nigel Farage needs to urgently prove today that his top team haven’t broken the law and secretly plotted to undermine our democracy.”
She continued, “It’s not just Farage’s secret £5 million ‘gift’. Time and again he and his mates think the rules don’t apply to them. The sleaze and scandal now engulfing him and his party isn’t going away – it’s getting worse.”
Phillipson added, “Farage and Reform must cooperate with the authorities to establish the truth and prove just how deep this scandal goes.”
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart remarked, “Farage has always behaved as though the rules apply to everyone but him. These new allegations against Reform look like the latest example and must be dealt with swiftly by the authorities.”
In response, Reform UK denied any wrongdoing, stating they had “been the target of a hoax perpetuated by foreign-funded, climate change activists posing as would-be party donors.” They emphasized their robust vetting process for prospective donors, which is approved by the Electoral Commission.
The developing situation raises critical questions about transparency in political funding and adherence to electoral laws, points that are set to capture public and media attention in the weeks ahead.
