The Metropolitan Police is investigating a donation made to Robert Jenrick's Conservative leadership campaign in 2024. The Electoral Commission had been examining claims that £37,500 of a donation originated overseas, and subsequently passed this information to the Metropolitan Police in January.
The force has confirmed it is investigating "concerning donations connected to a political party's leadership campaign." Electoral law prohibits foreign donations to UK politicians.
Jenrick, who is now a Reform UK MP after defecting from the Conservatives, ran to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader in summer 2024. He stated that the allegations are "entirely false" and that he has had no contact with the Metropolitan Police regarding the matter.
According to reports from April, the Electoral Commission began scrutinizing allegations concerning £100,000 in donations from the company Spott Fitness to Jenrick's campaign. In September, British businessman Phillip Ullmann identified himself as the source of these donations. However, the Electoral Commission has been investigating claims that a portion of this sum, £37,500, originated from the US company Innovyz. Innovyz was founded by Gary Klopfenstein, a US businessman who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in 2024.
A spokesperson for Jenrick stated that the suggestion of knowingly accepting impermissible donations is an "untrue, politically motivated smear." The spokesperson added that Jenrick and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws and that Jenrick had no awareness of any connection between Klopfenstein and Ullmann's donation until contacted by the Electoral Commission. The spokesperson also noted that Jenrick fully cooperated with the Electoral Commission's inquiry, providing records that they claim disproved the allegations.
The Conservative Party has indicated that all candidates in the 2024 leadership race were reminded of the laws surrounding permissible donations. A spokesperson for Ullmann declined to comment.