Nigel Farage’s party has launched a probe following an undercover investigation (Image: Getty)
Two top officials have been suspended from Reform UK following an undercover sting which alleged they breached political donation rules. James Orr and Dan Jukes left their roles in Nigel Farage’s party pending the outcome of a probe into a broadcast by Channel 4 News.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK has launched an investigation following the broadcast of a Channel 4 News programme.
“Both individuals involved have stepped down from their respective positions pending the outcome of the investigation.
Nigel Farage with his right hand man Dan Jukes (Image: Getty)
“The party believes it is important that the investigation is allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice. No further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing.”
Rival parties have reported Reform to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that Reform took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year, costing £32,500.
But the purported donors were actually undercover reporters from the investigative group Verbatim, posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.
Foreign companies are not a permissible source of funding for parties, including for payments for studies and research, and accepting donations from them could constitute a criminal offence.
In a statement, the Met Police said: “We’re aware of media reporting on Thursday, September 3, involving political party donations and an alleged breach of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 relating to polling.
“We will assess this matter and any information provided to us.”
Nigel Farage will address thousands of Reform UK members at the party’s conference on Friday (Image: Getty)
The investigation comes as 8,000 Reform members gather in Birmingham for the party’s yearly conference, where Mr Farage plans to set out his vision for the first 100 days in office should he win the next election.
The Brexit architect will give the first of his two conference speeches on Friday afternoon where he will promise to declare a “national emergency” on his first day in government, introducing a flood of legislation and doing “anything and everything” to deliver his party’s policies.
Mr Farage remains under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over his failure to declare a £5 million gift from Thai-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne before his election in 2024.