Scotland Yard is investigating a £37,500 donation made to Robert Jenrick's former campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party, over claims that electoral law was breached.
The Metropolitan Police is examining whether the funds given to the senior MP's campaign war chest originated from a foreign source. Such donations are illegal under British electoral law.
The donation was made in 2024 to Jenrick's campaign during the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader. The money came from British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann via a company called Spott Fitness. It was later alleged that £37,500 of this amount was impermissible, as it reportedly originated from US businessman Gary Klopfenstein, who pleaded guilty to investment fraud in 2024.
Jenrick, who defected to Reform UK earlier this year, stated on Wednesday that he had not been contacted by the police regarding the donation. "These allegations are entirely false," Jenrick said, "but it is no surprise that an establishment determined to stop Reform from delivering the change that this country so desperately needs would resort to making these demonstrably untrue claims."
He added that he had "no contact with the Met police whatsoever in connection with this matter." A spokesperson for Jenrick also stated that he had "never met, spoken to, or had any contact with Mr Klopfenstein, nor was he aware of any connection between him and Mr Ullmann's donation until he was contacted by the Electoral Commission."
The Electoral Commission began its own inquiries into the matter last year and subsequently contacted the Metropolitan Police. A spokesperson for the force confirmed they received a referral from the Electoral Commission on January 6 regarding donations connected to a leadership campaign and that the referral is under review.
A spokesperson for Jenrick's team asserted that he "and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws when receiving the donation received from Spott Fitness Ltd in 2024" and that he "fully cooperated with the Electoral Commission inquiry, providing detailed records that categorically disproved these smears in 2025."
However, Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake commented that "The law is crystal clear that foreign donations are illegal, and the true source of a donation must be declared. The Conservative Party, Parliament and the public have been misled by the funnelling of donations. The public deserves the truth about this donation."