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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Former Reform UK Wales leader Nathan Gill jailed for 10 and a half years over Russian bribery

Gill, 52, of Anglesey, pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery earlier this year. He was sentenced at the Old Bailey by Mrs Justice Cheema‑Grubb, who said he had “abused a position of significant authority and trust” and that the “harm inflicted is profound.” Gill nodded as the sentence was delivered before being taken into custody.

Judge condemns ‘persistent offending’ and corrosive damage to democracy

In her remarks, Mrs Justice Cheema‑Grubb described Gill’s behaviour as “sophisticated offending” and “persistent, rather than an isolated lapse of judgement.” She noted that Gill had involved other British MEPs who were unaware of his financial stake, adding there was “scant personal mitigation offered.”

She told the court:

“You abused a position of significant authority and trust with your crimes spanning eight months, motivated by financial and political gain. Your conduct fundamentally compromised the integrity of a supranational legislative body, particularly in its dealings with Russia – a persistent hostile state. The revelation of your actions has a broad and deleterious effect on public confidence and trust in democratic institutions. The corrosive damage to public life caused by such actions is enduring.”

Gill will serve at least half of the custodial term before being eligible for release.

Messages revealed cash payments and scripted speeches

Prosecutors said Gill accepted at least £40,000 — possibly more — from Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn, described as an alleged Russian asset now believed to be in Moscow. Voloshyn acted on behalf of oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Vladimir Putin.

Evidence from Gill’s seized phone showed a long sequence of WhatsApp messages in which Voloshyn provided scripts for speeches and interviews. Gill then delivered those words in the European Parliament and to Ukrainian media outlets, including 112 Ukraine.

Messages referred to “Christmas gifts,” “postcards,” and “5K” — coded language for cash payments. After one debate, Voloshyn praised Gill as “the perfect orator.”

Gill also offered to bring new Brexit Party colleagues into a presentation by Medvedchuk, telling Voloshyn he could “drag a few in to attend.” Voloshyn replied: “I already have a small sack of paper gifts for you.”

Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC said Gill’s offending fell into the “highest category” of culpability, adding:

“The offender was an elected member of a supra‑national parliament… He agreed to take financial payments from a foreign national operating outside of the region that he was elected to serve.”

Defence admits Gill left his family facing a difficult future

Gill’s barrister, Peter Wright KC, said his client had been “of hitherto good character” with a “lifelong history of commendable service,” but admitted his conduct was “utterly unfathomable.”

“He knows the only person who is to blame is himself,” Wright told the court, adding Gill had left his wife and children facing “an uncertain and difficult future of financial and emotional strain.”

Wright said Gill’s Eurosceptic views had gained prominence in the political climate of the time, and while he had genuine concern for tensions in Ukraine, he accepted payments “to his abiding shame.”

From UKIP to Reform UK — and now prison

Gill was elected as a UKIP MEP for Wales in 2014, later serving as leader of UKIP Wales and briefly as a Senedd member. He left UKIP in 2018, joined the Brexit Party in 2019, and became leader of Reform UK Wales in 2021 before stepping down later that year.

Outside the Old Bailey, a protester threw what appeared to be money at Gill as he arrived for sentencing, chanting “What about Farage?” Police have said there is no evidence Nigel Farage was aware of Gill’s criminality.

Investigators believe Gill was largely motivated by financial need, though he has offered no explanation for his actions. His statements were designed to support Kremlin talking points on Ukraine in the years leading up to Russia’s full‑scale invasion in 2022.

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