The Metropolitan Police has opened a criminal investigation into donations made to Reform UK following an undercover investigation that prompted allegations the party may have breached rules governing political funding.
Two senior Reform figures — Dan Jukes, a long-standing aide to Nigel Farage who denies wrongdoing, and James Orr, the party’s head of policy — have been suspended pending an internal investigation.
A Met spokesman said officers had received “a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party”.
He added: “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.”
The investigation follows reports by rival political parties to police after Channel 4 News alleged that Reform accepted funding from a US company for three opinion polls commissioned earlier this year, at a cost of £32,500.
The purported donors shown in the broadcast were undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim, posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.
Under UK electoral law, foreign companies are not permitted to fund political parties, including through payments for studies or research. Accepting prohibited donations can constitute a criminal offence.
Reform UK said it “denies any wrongdoing” and would “fully co-operate” with the police investigation.
A party spokesman added: “We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is under way.”
Jukes, who has been suspended from his role, rejected the allegations and said he had withdrawn from politics while seeking to clear his name.
“This was entrapment over a prolonged period of nearly a year by foreign-funded, climate change activists.
“I totally deny any wrongdoing but have stepped back from politics in order to clear my name,” he said.
The investigation adds a new layer of scrutiny to Reform UK, which has sought to establish itself as a major force in British politics while expanding its fundraising and political organisation.
For the Metropolitan Police, the case will centre on whether any payments or arrangements identified in the undercover operation breached the political donations rules set out under the 2000 Act. The involvement of the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service means the investigation could ultimately have consequences beyond the party’s internal disciplinary process.
No arrests have been made.
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