Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has demanded a full investigation into links between Reform UK and Russia following the dramatic jailing of the party's former Wales leader for accepting bribes to make pro-Russian statements.
Political Betrayal and Bribery
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform in Wales, has been sentenced to ten and a half years in prison after admitting to eight counts of bribery. The 52-year-old from Anglesey, North Wales, received £40,000 to promote pro-Russian views in the European Parliament and in articles for Ukrainian media outlets between December 2018 and July 2019.
Speaking to Sky News at the G20 summit in South Africa, Sir Keir Starmer directly challenged Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. "He needs to launch an investigation into his party to understand how that happened," the Prime Minister stated, emphasising that such actions represent "a serious criminal offence" that "undermines our country."
Justice Served and Political Fallout
Sentencing Gill at the Old Bailey, Justice Cheema-Grubb declared he had allowed money to corrupt his "moral compass" in what she described as "a grave betrayal of the trust vested in you by the electorate."
The bribery scheme was orchestrated by Oleg Voloshyn, a 44-year-old former pro-Russian Ukrainian MP, with funds ultimately traced back to Victor Medvedchuk, a wealthy pro-Russian Ukrainian and close ally of Vladimir Putin who owned the 112 Ukraine media outlet where Gill published his pieces.
In response to the sentencing, a Reform UK spokesman called Gill's actions "reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable" and welcomed the prison sentence. The party confirmed Gill is no longer a member.
Cross-Party Calls for Transparency
The case has triggered widespread political concern, with ministers and opposition leaders joining calls for Mr Farage to investigate potential Russian interference within his party.
Armed forces minister Al Carns insisted: "Nigel Farage must urgently initiate an independent investigation into every inch of Reform UK's party structures, membership, donors, and representatives."
Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake described the incident as a "shocking and treacherous act" that "raises serious questions about Reform UK's connections to malign Russian influence." Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey echoed these concerns, questioning where Mr Farage's "loyalties really lie."
Mr Farage, who represents Clacton as a Reform UK MP, had previously characterised his former colleague as a "bad apple" and expressed shock at the guilty plea. Police have confirmed Mr Farage was not part of their investigation.
