LONDON (Diya TV) — Reform UK acknowledged failures in its handling of prospective donors Wednesday and promised stronger safeguards, while its internal investigation concluded that the party had not broken electoral law.
The review followed undercover footage produced by Verbatim Investigations and broadcast by Channel 4 News last month. It showed senior figures discussing funding political polling and a potential donation involving a purported American donor.
The Metropolitan Police continues to investigate the allegations separately. Reform’s findings do not resolve that criminal inquiry.
The party’s barrister and general secretary conducted the internal review. Their report criticized representatives’ statements as “wrong, careless and in one instance untrue” and identified weaknesses in the party’s procedures.
Dan Jukes, a longtime aide to leader Nigel Farage, and policy chief James Orr stepped aside after the documentary aired. Both deny wrongdoing.
The report concluded that Jukes commissioned the disputed polls personally as a contractor, rather than on Reform’s behalf. It said the party incurred no liability for the polling.
On the proposed donation, the review said no money reached the party and no agreement to transfer funds existed. It found no evidence that officials knowingly participated in an arrangement to facilitate a donation from an impermissible source.
Reform plans to require written notification to its treasury team about prospective donations and polling commissions. Other recommendations include earlier identity checks, clearer fundraising guidance and disclosure of contractors’ outside clients where relevant.
The party also accused Verbatim of acting unlawfully and said it intended to pursue legal action.
Channel 4 defended its reporting, saying the investigation underwent editorial and external legal scrutiny before broadcast. Verbatim also stood by its journalism.
