Met Police Investigates Reform UK Over Donation Allegations

The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of donation and polling offences involving the political party Reform UK. The inquiry follows an undercover investigation by Channel 4 News and the investigative group Verbatim, which prompted claims that the party may have breached rules governing political funding. Detectives are assessing potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. The allegations are being incorporated into an existing investigation by the Met's Special Enquiry Team concerning donations made to Reform UK. Police are liaising closely with the Electoral Commission and the Crown Prosecution Service as the enquiries progress. Officers are also seeking to obtain relevant footage from the Channel 4 broadcast. According to reports, the undercover operation recorded senior Reform figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources and arranging payments for three opinion polls, costing £32,500. UK electoral law prohibits foreign companies from funding political parties, including through payments for research or studies. A reported pledge of £500,000 from a US businessman was never made.