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The UK government has initiated an independent review to investigate foreign financial interference in its political system, following the “shocking” conviction of Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales. Gill was sentenced to prison in November after admitting to accepting bribes in exchange for pro-Russian interviews and speeches during his tenure as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
Communities Secretary Steve Reed announced the review, emphasizing the need to “learn the lessons” from Gill’s case to prevent similar incidents in the future. The inquiry will be led by Philip Rycroft, a former senior civil servant, and is expected to deliver its findings in March. Speaking in the House of Commons, Reed condemned the conduct, highlighting the serious implications of a British politician betraying democratic values by supporting the interests of the Russian regime, which has been responsible for egregious acts such as the deportation of vulnerable Ukrainian children and the assassination of a British citizen using a nerve agent.
Earlier this year, the government released its strategy aimed at ensuring “modern and secure elections,” designed to close existing loopholes that compromise electoral integrity. However, Reed acknowledged that developments since then suggest the need to reassess whether current protections are sufficient. The review will perform a comprehensive evaluation of existing financial regulations and safeguards, with particular attention to emerging risks, including foreign political interference facilitated through cryptocurrencies. Its conclusions will help shape the upcoming Election and Democracy Bill planned for publication next year.
The review also responds to broader concerns about foreign interference in UK politics, including cases like Christine Lee, accused by MI5 in 2022 of acting as a Chinese agent who infiltrated Parliament and made donations to politicians. Lee has denied knowingly engaging in political interference. Nathan Gill’s conviction was historically significant, as he became the first politician to be jailed under the Bribery Act; reports suggest he received around £40,000 to support pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine, accepting funds from Oleg Voloshyn, who has been described by the US government as linked to Russian intelligence. Reform UK, Gill’s party, condemned his actions as “reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable” but welcomed the government’s decision to investigate further.
In reaction to the announcement, Reform UK’s deputy leader Richard Tice called on the government to also examine Chinese financial influence within the Labour Party, a point to which Reed responded that the review could cover all sources of malicious foreign funding. Other political representatives, including Conservative shadow minister Paul Holmes and Liberal Democrat spokesperson Zöe Franklin, also expressed support for the inquiry. Holmes advocated for improved information sharing among parties to better detect suspicious donations, while Franklin highlighted concerns about the outsized influence of wealthy donors, including those from overseas, urging the government to introduce caps on political giving. Addressing media questions, a Downing Street spokesperson clarified that the review targets the integrity of the democratic process broadly and is not focused on any particular party or individual. However, the inquiry will concentrate on recent threats and will not revisit allegations of interference related to the 2016 Brexit referendum
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