Two senior aides to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have stepped down following allegations of circumventing electoral law to accept foreign donations, as revealed by an undercover investigation by Channel 4 News and Verbatim Investigations. James Orr, the party's head of policy, and Dan Jukes, a close aide to Farage, have both resigned pending an internal party investigation.
The investigation, broadcast on Thursday night, involved a reporter posing as a potential donor. According to the report, Jukes suggested a method whereby a donation from a foreign national could be made in the name of their UK-based son, a practice he claimed the party had undertaken previously. Electoral law in the UK requires political party donors to be UK registered voters or UK-registered companies.
In the footage, Jukes is heard telling the undercover reporter that his American father could legally donate by giving the money to his son, who would then donate it to the party. Orr, in a separate interaction, reportedly suggested that the American father could pay for opinion polling to support Reform's campaign, with three such polls costing £32,500 in total. Failure to disclose the source of such funding would be illegal, as would accepting foreign donations.
Nigel Farage described the comments made by his aides as "injudicious" and "loose pub talk," while asserting that Reform UK had "done nothing wrong" and had not accepted any illegal money. He characterized the suggestions as boasts that were "simply not true" and stated that the alleged donations had not occurred and were not reflected in the party's accounts. Farage also expressed frustration that he was introduced to the individuals involved, adding that his party needed to improve as it professionalizes.
Jukes, responding to the allegations, stated that the investigation was a form of "entrapment" by "foreign-funded climate change activists" and denied any wrongdoing. He has stepped back from politics to clear his name. Orr stated he would cooperate fully with the party's internal investigation.
A spokesperson for Verbatim Investigations defended the inquiry, asserting it was conducted to the "highest journalistic standards" and that the proposed actions were initiated by Jukes and Orr, not the journalists.
Political opponents have reacted to the report, with the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats reporting the matter to the Metropolitan Police. A police spokesperson confirmed they would assess the information provided. The Electoral Commission stated it is considering all relevant information and is in communication with the Metropolitan Police.