Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has conceded the overseas donation row facing his party 'looks bad' while denying it ever breached electoral law, as the Met police weigh whether to open an investigation.
Key facts
- Nigel Farage acknowledged the overseas donation row 'looks bad' for Reform UK.
- Farage denied the party had ever taken foreign money in breach of electoral law.
- Asked to rule out foreign money being funnelled to Reform, he said: 'I can … never happened.'
- Robert Jenrick said the party had followed legal protocol 'at all times'.
- The Metropolitan police are considering launching an investigation, according to the Guardian.
Nigel Farage has acknowledged that the overseas donation row engulfing Reform UK ‘looks bad’ for his party, while firmly denying it had ever taken foreign money in breach of electoral law, according to the Guardian.
The Reform leader, who is working to contain the fallout from the allegations, was asked to categorically rule out that foreign money had ever been funnelled to his party. He replied: ‘I can … never happened.’
The comments come as the row continues to draw scrutiny, with the Metropolitan police considering whether to launch an investigation, the Guardian reported.
Robert Jenrick said the party had followed legal protocol ‘at all times’, defending Reform’s handling of its donations amid the questions being raised about their sources.
Farage’s acknowledgement that the situation ‘looks bad’ reflects the pressure on the party leadership to address the allegations publicly while maintaining that no laws were broken.
The Guardian noted the story was developing, with UK politics live coverage tracking the latest updates as the situation unfolds.
Why it matters
Rules on political donations are designed to prevent foreign influence over UK elections, so allegations that a party may have accepted overseas money strike at a core principle of electoral integrity. With the Met police weighing an investigation, the outcome could carry significant legal and political consequences for Reform UK.
Frequently asked questions
What did Nigel Farage say about the donation row?
Farage acknowledged the overseas donation row 'looks bad' for Reform UK but denied the party had ever taken foreign money in breach of electoral law. Asked to rule out foreign money being funnelled to the party, he said: 'I can … never happened.'
Are the police involved?
According to the Guardian, the Metropolitan police are considering launching an investigation into the matter.
How has Reform UK defended itself?
Robert Jenrick said the party had followed legal protocol 'at all times'.