Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed he “wasn’t even listening” during a meeting at the centre of a controversy over whether his party considered evading laws on accepting foreign donations, according to interviews from the party’s annual conference in Birmingham. The fallout has already cost Farage two of his closest aides following an undercover investigation by a group called Verbatim.
Undercover Investigation and Aide Suspensions
Farage was forced to suspend his close aide Dan Jukes and Reform’s head of policy, James Orr, on Friday after undercover reporters filmed the pair appearing to plot ways around electoral laws on foreign donations, according to reporting on the event. The reporters posed as a potential Reform supporter and his wealthy American father, an impermissible donor who paid for £30,000 of polling commissioned by Reform. The polling benefited the party when published in national newspapers.
Pressure mounted on Farage over a separate clip where he was heard saying “it’s all above board” after a reporter posing as the UK-based son of a wealthy US backer told Farage he had discussed the matter with Jukes and Orr. “I’ll be the registered donor,” the son said, “but then dad will send the money to me, and then as soon as that’s done and all those conversations are had the money is available.”
Did You Know? The threshold for the UK’s tax-free personal allowance has been set at £12,570 since 2021 and is scheduled to remain there until 2031, though Reform Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick pledged during the conference to increase it to £15,000 within the first 100 days if the party takes office.
Farage’s Defense and Party Response
In an interview on Saturday with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Farage stated that “of course” he knew it was illegal for foreign firms to donate to UK parties, adding that he was told money was given via a UK family office. When challenged that an undercover reporter mentioned running an “American family office” in his presence, Farage replied, “I am not a compliance officer. I was in the middle of canvassing in the Clacton byelection. I turn up. I frankly wasn’t even listening.”
Farage also told the BBC that he knew donation law “better than anybody”. Meanwhile, Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick told GB News that “the two individuals concerned have gone,” while telling Times Radio they had been “permanently suspended.” Farage accused “the establishment” of trying to derail Reform UK, telling ITV’s Robert Peston that investigations will continue.
Expert Insight: As investigations proceed, the Met police are assessing evidence following complaints that Farage, Orr, and Jukes may have broken political funding laws—all of whom deny wrongdoing.
Conference Disruptions and Policy Announcements
The donations controversy overshadowed policy announcements at the Birmingham conference, which also featured speeches from other former Conservative defectors. Education spokesperson Suella Braverman announced a planned 20% cut to the number of student loans given, restricting funds to university courses demonstrating good economic returns with exceptions for strategic or cultural importance. The final day also coincided with West Midlands police asking a female climate activist to come forward after footage emerged of her allegedly being pulled by her hair and grabbed by her head while being removed from the hall during Farage’s speech on Friday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was suspended following the undercover investigation?
Farage suspended his close aide Dan Jukes and Reform’s head of policy, James Orr, after they appeared in undercover footage discussing how to navigate electoral laws on foreign donations.
What did Nigel Farage say in response to the allegations?
Farage stated that he “wasn’t even listening” during the meeting, noting he was focused on canvassing for the Clacton byelection and asserting that he knows donation law “better than anybody.” All involved parties deny wrongdoing.
Are law enforcement agencies investigating the matter?
Yes, the Met police are assessing evidence after a complaint was filed alleging that Farage, Orr, and Jukes may have broken political funding laws.
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