A senior figure from Reform UK has declined to call on party leader Nigel Farage to provide evidence to British security services supporting his claim that he was hacked by Russian agents. Danny Kruger, the party's lead on preparing for government, stated that the matter is private and that he is not privy to the details of any investigation.
Pressure Mounts on Farage
Farage has faced increasing pressure to substantiate allegations that a state-sponsored Russian hack led to a Guardian report last month disclosing a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. Both Labour and the Conservatives have emphasized the national security threat posed by Russia.
When asked if Farage had reported his concerns to authorities, Kruger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: “I don’t know … I’m not privy to that conversation and I don’t feel I can comment.” He added that he is not the appropriate person to discuss the investigation's details, describing the matter as private.
Reform Source Claims Counter-Espionage Analysis
A Reform source quoted by the Mail on Sunday claimed Farage had privately commissioned “counter-espionage experts” to analyze his phone, concluding it was likely compromised by Russian agents. However, no evidence was provided, and the experts were not named. Farage's spokesperson has not responded to Guardian inquiries about who the hack was reported to or whether evidence was handed over.
A Guardian spokesperson dismissed Farage's claim as “an attempt to deflect attention from legitimate scrutiny of his financial affairs,” adding that it was absurd to suggest the Guardian learned of the gift via a Russian hack.
Kruger Defends Candidate Over Online Comments
Kruger also defended Reform's candidate in the Makerfield by-election, Robert Kenyon, after scrutiny of his online activity. Archives show Kenyon made lewd remarks about female public figures, questioned vaccine efficacy, and interacted with far-right accounts. Kruger said he is “not going to judge people” for social media posts, noting that many speak as if in a private setting. He acknowledged such comments are not suitable for an elected politician and noted Kenyon had deleted the posts.
