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£19.99David Deans, a political reporter for BBC Wales News, reported from Westminster Magistrates Court where Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, faced accusations of accepting bribes in exchange for making statements in the European Parliament to benefit Russia. Gill, 51, from Llangefni on Anglesey, is facing eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. He appeared at court via video link, confirming his personal details.
The court heard that Gill, a former UKIP and Brexit Party MEP between 2014 and 2020, allegedly received money from Oleg Valoshyn, a former Ukrainian politician, to make specific statements supportive of a narrative benefitting Russia in relation to events in Ukraine. According to a spokesperson for Reform Wales, Gill is no longer a member of Reform UK. The Crown Prosecution Service stated that evidence found on Gill’s seized phone revealed a professional relationship with Valoshyn, agreeing to receive money in exchange for making statements in the European Parliament.
During his almost six-year tenure as an MEP and brief representation of north Wales in the Welsh Parliament, Gill was elected as a UKIP MEP in 2014 and briefly joined the National Assembly in 2016. He served as UKIP’s leader for Wales and later joined the Brexit Party before its predecessor, Reform. The charges against Valoshyn were authorized, but he is not currently within the jurisdiction. Gill was granted bail with conditions including surrendering his passport and not contacting Valoshyn, with a court date set for March 14th at the Old Bailey.
In light of the alleged offenses committed during Gill’s time as an MEP, concerns have been raised about the influence of foreign actors on political decisions within the European Parliament. The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in political leadership to ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of elected officials. The upcoming court appearance at the Old Bailey will shed further light on the details of the accusations and the potential consequences for Gill and his involvement in the bribery scandal
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
