Politics

Metropolitan Police open criminal probe into Reform UK foreign funding claims

Detectives expand an existing inquiry after an undercover report prompted two senior party officials to resign.

Updated Sep 9, 2026 · 14:59 UTC2 reports

The short version

The Metropolitan Police initiated a criminal investigation into allegations that Reform UK breached campaign laws regarding foreign funding.[BBC News]
The investigation was prompted by an undercover media sting by Channel 4 News and Verbatim Investigations.[BBC News]
Senior aides Dan Jukes and James Orr resigned after the footage was broadcast.[BBC News · The Guardian]
Reform UK denied any wrongdoing and stated it will fully cooperate as the allegations are merged into an existing donations probe.[BBC News]

The Metropolitan Police's Special Enquiry Team launched a criminal investigation into whether Reform UK violated laws regarding foreign funding.[BBC News · The Guardian]
The probe stems from an undercover broadcast by Channel 4 News and Verbatim Investigations.[BBC News · The Guardian]
Two senior party advisers, Dan Jukes and James Orr, resigned following the broadcast.[BBC News · The Guardian]
Police merged the new allegations into an ongoing inquiry regarding other donations to Reform UK.[BBC News · The Guardian]

Reform UK has denied any wrongdoing, and detectives have not yet concluded whether any electoral laws were breached.[BBC News · The Guardian]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.