Reform UK, the anti-immigration party led by Nigel Farage, has been reported to the Metropolitan Police and the Electoral Commission over allegations that it accepted and concealed an illegal donation. The complaint, filed by the Liberal Democrats' Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart, centres on a donation from an impermissible donor, a breach of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
The allegations stem from an undercover investigation by Channel 4 News, which broadcast footage of Reform party members discussing a donation from the son of an American financier—who was in fact an undercover reporter. Under UK law, donations from foreign investors are prohibited. The ruling Labour Party has also said it intends to refer the matter to the police.
Reform UK has categorically denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the report as "a hoax perpetuated by foreign-funded, climate change activists posing as would-be party donors." The party insists it has "a robust vetting process for prospective donors approved by the Electoral Commission." In a statement, it said: "While Reform UK denies all wrongdoing in relation to the Channel 4 hit job this evening, as a matter of course, the Party is launching an internal investigation regarding the circumstances surrounding the broadcast."
The Metropolitan Police confirmed it is "aware of media reporting...involving political party donations and an alleged breach of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 relating to polling," and said it would "assess this matter and any information provided to us." A former chief executive of the Electoral Commission told Channel 4 that the evidence points to possible criminal offences.
Conference opens under a cloud
The timing is awkward for Farage, who is opening Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham this weekend. The party has slipped behind Labour in recent polls after a difficult summer, and Farage is already under a separate parliamentary standards investigation over a £5 million (€5.82m) donation from crypto entrepreneur Christopher Harborne. Farage maintains that the money was a gift intended to cover his personal security and did not require declaration because it was received before he became an MP.
Farage has repeatedly rejected any suggestion of impropriety, stating: "I have done nothing wrong. I have not broken the law in any way at all." The controversy comes as Reform UK seeks to position itself as a major force in British politics, with ambitions to challenge the Conservatives and Labour in the next general election.
The allegations also raise broader questions about the integrity of political funding in the UK, a topic that resonates across Europe. In France, the political season is opening with its own budget fights, while in Iceland, disputed claims shaped the EU referendum, highlighting the continent-wide scrutiny of political financing and transparency.
Reform UK's internal investigation is expected to report in the coming weeks, but the party's leadership is likely to face continued pressure from opponents and the media. The Metropolitan Police's assessment could lead to a formal investigation, which would be a significant blow to a party that has styled itself as a champion of clean, transparent politics.
Observers note that the undercover sting, conducted by the company Verbatim, is part of a broader trend of investigative journalism targeting political parties across Europe. In Germany, police are probing suspected sabotage, and in Munich, arrests have been made after an arson attack, underscoring the security challenges facing the continent.
For now, Farage is pressing ahead with his conference agenda, focusing on immigration, sovereignty, and economic reform. But the donation scandal threatens to overshadow his message, and the coming days will reveal whether the party can weather the storm.
