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Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, has pleaded guilty to charges related to bribery concerning his statements favoring Russia during his time as a member of the European Parliament. The 52-year-old from Llangefni on Anglesey admitted to eight counts of bribery between December 6, 2018, and July 18, 2019, while refuting a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery. The accusations revolve around statements made by Gill in the European Parliament that supported a narrative beneficial to Russia regarding events in Ukraine.
The court heard that as an elected member of the European Parliament for Wales, Gill agreed to receive financial advantages in exchange for making pro-Russia statements, which amounted to an improper performance of his duties. These statements were also published in opinion pieces for news outlets like 112 Ukraine. According to the prosecution, Gill was instructed by Ukrainian Oleg Voloshyn on numerous occasions to make specific statements in return for monetary gain, with evidence of WhatsApp communication between the two men. Voloshyn is a former member of the Ukrainian parliament affiliated with the pro-Russian Opposition Platform for Life party.
The alleged conspiracy to commit bribery involved Gill, Voloshyn, and others collaborating between January 1, 2018, and February 1, 2020. Gill was accused of accepting cash bribes that tainted his role as an elected official in the European Parliament. Prosecutor Mark Heywood deemed the guilty pleas satisfactory in reflecting the criminal activities, leading to the conspiracy charge being set aside. The revelations came to light when Gill was detained at Manchester Airport in September 2021 under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. With an inevitable prison sentence looming, Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb labeled the case as a grave matter, emphasizing Gill’s admission to supporting pro-Russian entities in the Ukraine conflict.
Nathan Gill’s political career saw him serve as a MEP for UKIP and the Brexit Party from 2014 to 2020, with a stint as the leader of UKIP Wales from 2014 to 2016. He briefly led Reform UK Wales between March and May 2021, spearheading the party’s campaign for the Senedd/Welsh Parliament election. Despite his previous affiliations, Gill is no longer associated with the party
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