Reform clears itself in foreign donations inquiry
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 17:00 · Archive
Reform's internal inquiry found no breach of electoral law over allegations of foreign donation discussions.
Reform UK has published findings from an internal inquiry into allegations that party figures discussed disguising foreign donations. The 27-page report, conducted by the party's legal adviser Adam Richardson and general secretary Tom Waterhouse, concluded there had been 'no breach of electoral law by the party, and no evidence that any individual knowingly took part in an arrangement to facilitate a donation from an impermissible source'.
The allegations emerged from an undercover investigation by Verbatim, a not-for-profit investigative journalism organisation. An actor managed to get two Reform officials to discuss how illicit funding from a foreign source could be covered up, with one potential donation mentioned being £500,000. Two advisers stepped down following the investigation.
Neither outlet considers the internal inquiry independent. The Mirror and the i Paper both emphasise that Reform has effectively marked its own homework. The Labour Party has called the report a 'whitewash' and 'not credible'. Scotland Yard's separate police investigation into the same allegations remains ongoing, which both outlets suggest represents the more significant test of whether wrongdoing occurred.
How it is being reported
- Reform investigated Reform. The conclusion will shock youSimon Kelner: Nigel Farage should know that the public always knows who it should trustThe i Paper · 8 Oct, 16:31
- 'Nobody should be surprised that Reform has cleared itself of wrongdoing - the real result is yet to come'"The party can declare itself cleared, congratulate itself and move on if it likes - but this is still Reform marking Reform’s homework and awarding itself a pass"The Mirror · 7 Oct, 19:56
In this story: Reform UK · Nigel Farage · Scotland Yard · Labour Party · Verbatim
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