Reform UK: Two officials step down over donation investigation
Dan Jukes and James Orr have stepped down from Reform UK following an undercover Channel 4 News report regarding party funding.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Two senior Reform UK officials have stepped down from their roles.
- The move follows a Channel 4 News undercover report on party donations.
- The party denies wrongdoing and has launched an independent internal probe.
- The Metropolitan Police and Electoral Commission are reviewing the matter.
Reform UK has confirmed that two of its senior officials have stepped down while the party investigates funding claims broadcast in a recent Channel 4 News investigative report, creating significant political turbulence.
Dan Jukes, a close aide to Nigel Farage, and James Orr, the party's head of policy, have both resigned pending the outcome of an internal investigation. The party stated that the probe must be allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
The Channel 4 report, aired on Thursday night, featured undercover footage obtained by Verbatim Investigations, showing Jukes suggesting a method to bypass electoral law to secure a foreign donation of £500,000 for the party.
Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing, claiming it has been targeted in a hoax orchestrated by foreign-funded climate activists. Meanwhile, both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have referred the allegations to the Metropolitan Police.
"The party has broken no laws, the party has not taken any dodgy money or anything like that whatsoever."
Nigel Farage
UK electoral law strictly mandates that political donors must be registered voters or UK-registered companies. Attempts to use intermediaries or conceal the true origin of funds represent severe breaches of electoral regulations, threatening party legitimacy during key political events.
Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson told Sky News there was no chance of Jukes and Orr returning to the party. The Electoral Commission confirmed it is reviewing all relevant information in communication with the police force.
Source: BBC Politics
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