Defence Minister urges Farage to launch “forensic” probe into Reform UK after Gill bribery case
Al Carns MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces and a former Royal Marine, said Farage must “leave no stone unturned” in reviewing Reform’s party structures, donors and representatives to guarantee that any remaining pro‑Russian links are rooted out.
Gill, who once led Reform UK in Wales and was closely associated with Farage through UKIP and the Brexit Party, was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison this week after pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery. Counter‑terror police uncovered how Gill had received payments in return for making statements supportive of pro‑Russian media outlets in Ukraine.
Carns said the case “should send shockwaves right to the top of Reform UK,” adding:
“No patriotic British political party should allow pro‑Russian elements to covertly have an influence on our political system or society. It’s as anti‑British as you can get.”
Wider security concerns
The intervention comes just days after the Defence Secretary warned that a Russian spy ship operating near UK waters had used lasers to disrupt RAF pilots monitoring its activities. Carns said the incident underlined the scale of the threat posed by Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Labour has joined calls for Farage to initiate an independent investigation into Reform UK’s structures to reassure the public that any pro‑Russian influence is identified and removed.
Farage’s past comments
Farage has previously said he was “stunned” to learn of Gill’s crimes. However, critics have long accused him of echoing Kremlin talking points. In 2014, Farage described Putin as “brilliant” and the world leader he most admired. He has also argued that NATO and EU expansion “provoked” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, comments which drew widespread condemnation.
In 2016, Farage described Gill as “hard‑working, honest, and loyal” while serving as UKIP Wales leader.
What happens next
Reform UK has faced repeated allegations of pro‑Russian leanings, and Carns said Farage must now prove he is willing to root out any remaining influence.
“It’s time Nigel Farage demonstrated to the public that Putin has no hold over his party,” he added.
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