Police launch investigation into Reform UK donations after Channel 4 report

The Metropolitan Police have announced that they have launched an investigation into allegations that Reform UK broke the law on political donations after an undercover Channel 4 report.

It comes after footage was released by undercover reporters showing senior members of Farage’s team appearing to plot to avoid electoral laws on foreign donations in an undercover investigation broadcast by Channel 4 News.

A senior aide to Farage, Dan Jukes, was filmed suggesting a way to get around electoral law to secure a foreign donation of £500,000 for Reform UK.

Electoral law in the UK states that to be a permissible donor to a UK political party you must be a UK registered voter, or a company registered in the UK.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had “assessed the information provided and determined that there are potential offences requiring investigation”.

A Met spokesperson said it had received “a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party”, after the film by Channel 4 News and Verbatim Investigations was shown on Thursday evening.

In its statement, the force said: “All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.”

“Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress.”

A Reform spokesman said: “Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and will fully co-operate with the investigation.

“We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is under way.”