The Metropolitan Police have launched a full criminal inquiry into Reform UK after an undercover investigation by Channel 4 News revealed potential offenses related to illegal foreign donations. The inquiry stems from a report that allegedly showed senior figures within the party discussing methods to disguise donations originating from foreign sources.
According to the report, party leader Nigel Farage and other senior figures were said to have discussed a £500,000 pledge from a U.S. businessman channeled through his son, who resides in the UK. Foreign political donations are prohibited in the United Kingdom. The donation in question was ultimately not made.
In a statement, Scotland Yard confirmed that following a Channel 4 News broadcast on September 3, 2026, the Met received multiple reports concerning donations and polling activities involving a political party. Detectives have assessed the provided information and determined that potential offenses require investigation. These matters will be integrated into an ongoing investigation by the Met's Special Enquiry Team, which is already examining donations made to the same political party.
The police are reportedly seeking additional footage related to the broadcast, as the investigative group Verbatim is understood to possess hours of video that were not included in Channel 4's report. Reform UK has stated that it will cooperate fully with the Metropolitan Police investigation and denies any wrongdoing, characterizing itself as the "target of a hoax."
In February 2025, the Met's Special Enquiry Team initiated an investigation into donations made to Reform UK prior to the 2024 general election, following a referral from the Electoral Commission. As part of that ongoing inquiry, two individuals were interviewed under caution. No arrests have been made in connection with either the earlier investigation or the latest allegations.
The allegations under investigation pertain to potential offenses under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Officers are currently liaising with the Electoral Commission and the Crown Prosecution Service as the enquiries progress. Earlier reports also claimed that senior Reform figures had accepted £32,500 in funding for three opinion polls, which were published without disclosure of the commissioners or the funding source. Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing in relation to these claims as well.