Nigel Farage is under the spotlight after Nathan Gill, ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales, was convicted for accepting bribes to spread pro-Russian sentiments. Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists that Farage has “serious questions to answer” about Gill’s activities, including what the party knew. Gill, who led Reform in Wales in 2021, admitted to taking bribes in exchange for promoting Kremlin-friendly views during his time as an MEP. His actions included making favourable statements about Russia during European Parliament debates and writing opinion pieces with a similar slant.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Starmer didn’t hold back: “Mr Farage and his team were working with someone peddling Putin’s propaganda.” He underscored the potential threat to democracy, highlighting how Labour’s upcoming Elections Bill aims to shield the UK from foreign influence.
Labour MP John Whitby also chimed in, questioning whether any party with leaders accepting Russian money can genuinely safeguard democracy. Reform UK, however, stayed mum, offering no comment.
On a recent visit to Caerphilly, Farage expressed his shock at Gill’s admissions, calling it a case of a “bad apple” and emphasising that you can’t always know everyone’s true nature. Gill, who led the party for a brief period, pleaded guilty to eight charges of bribery dating from 2018 to 2019.
What are your thoughts on this scandal? Is this a bump in the road for Reform UK, or something more significant? Let’s discuss!