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Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s head of policy, has referred to Nathan Gill, the former leader of the party in Wales who was recently imprisoned, as “ancient history.” Gill was sentenced to ten and a half years in jail on 21 November after admitting to accepting approximately £40,000 in bribes in exchange for promoting pro-Russia interviews and speeches. Yusuf emphasized that he had never met Gill and was only familiar with him through media reports. He insisted that Gill’s wrongdoing should not tarnish the reputation of Reform UK.
During an appearance on Sky News, Yusuf was questioned about doubts regarding Reform UK’s stance on Russia, given Gill’s criminal ties. He responded that such distrust would be unfair, acknowledging the severity of Gill’s actions by labeling them as “treasonous” and “horrific.” Yusuf stated, “He’s now been dealt with by the authorities. He deserves the sentence that he’s gotten.” He reiterated that Gill’s involvement was firmly in the past and maintained that it would be unjust to besmirch the party, its leader Nigel Farage, or its large base of supporters.
Gill, aged 52 and from Llangefni, Anglesey, is believed to have taken funds from Oleg Voloshyn, a man previously described by the US government as a “pawn” of Russian intelligence. These payments occurred during Gill’s tenure as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), with the intention of assisting pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. At his trial held at the Old Bailey, the presiding judge, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, condemned Gill for abusing his position and eroding public confidence in democracy. Before leading Reform UK in Wales briefly, Gill was affiliated with the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and followed Nigel Farage to the Brexit Party.
Following these developments, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer challenged Nigel Farage to initiate an inquiry into Reform UK’s possible connections with Russia, stating that Gill’s conduct “undermines our country.” Farage countered by calling on Starmer to investigate Labour’s ties with the Chinese Communist Party. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused Farage of having previously been paid to appear on Russia Today, President Vladimir Putin’s TV channel, questioning Farage’s true loyalties. After Gill’s sentencing, Davey labeled him “a traitor” and described Farage and his party as posing a threat to national security, demanding a full investigation into Russian interference in UK politics
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