David Deans and Meleri Williams of BBC Wales News reported that Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, is facing trial next year on charges related to accepting bribes to make statements in the European Parliament that would benefit Russia. The accusations against Gill include eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. At a recent hearing in the Old Bailey in London, Gill’s defence barrister indicated that he intended to plead not guilty, and a trial date of 29 June 2026 was scheduled.
Gill, who served as a UKIP and later Brexit Party MEP between 2014 and 2020, is alleged to have conspired with former Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn from January 2018 to February 2020. Voloshyn, a co-defendant in the case, is affiliated with the pro-Russian Opposition Platform for Life party. It was revealed in court that Gill was tasked multiple times by Voloshyn to make specific statements in exchange for money that supported a particular narrative beneficial to Russia regarding events in Ukraine.
Furthermore, the court heard that evidence seized from Gill’s mobile phone during his arrest in September 2021 suggested a professional relationship with Voloshyn, involving an agreement to receive funds in exchange for activities as an MEP. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb set the trial date for June 2026 as Gill was released on conditional bail, with restrictions not to contact Voloshyn or obtain international travel documents. Gill was previously an Assembly Member in Wales and served as the leader of UKIP in Wales before joining Reform UK’s predecessor, the Brexit Party, in 2019.
In addition to his political career, Gill led Reform’s Welsh Parliament election campaign in 2021. While the exact timeline of Gill stepping down as the leader of Reform UK Wales is unclear, the party has confirmed that he is no longer a member. Despite these legal challenges, Gill has retained his position in the public eye due to his past political roles and involvement in various political parties in Wales
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