A former political associate of Nigel Farage, known for his affiliation with UKIP and the Brexit Party, has refuted allegations of accepting Russian bribes following revelations from a series of WhatsApp messages.
David Coburn, the ex-UKIP leader in Scotland, was implicated in communications between Nathan Gill, who was recently convicted and sentenced for receiving illicit payments, and Oleg Voloshyn, linked to Russia’s security apparatus. When questioned by a BBC journalist about illegal payments, Coburn simply responded with a firm denial, stalling his car as he tried to leave during the confrontation outside his residence in rural France.
Evidence from WhatsApp messages, disclosed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), mentioned a “David” receiving a $6,500 payment, with references to an MEP identified as “D”. The discussions hint at financial transactions involving political figures, including Coburn and Gill, who were both associated with the Brexit Party led by Farage at the time.
In 2019, Voloshyn’s messages indicated arrangements involving payments to Coburn and others. The CPS clarified that these exchanges were related to potential involvement in the editorial board of pro-Russia TV channels, implicating Coburn as the only publicly known “David” on the board.
Coburn, who led UKIP in Scotland from 2014 to 2018 before joining the Brexit Party, has been under scrutiny in connection with these intercepted messages from 2021, which were discovered during an incident involving Gill at an airport. The funding source behind the payments, allegedly orchestrated by Viktor Medvedchuk, a pro-Putin Ukrainian figure accused of treason, is being investigated.
As the investigation unfolds, the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command is probing for potential accomplices in Gill’s activities. The head of the command mentioned ongoing inquiries into individuals associated with the case, emphasizing Gill’s recruitment of British individuals, including former colleagues from the European Parliament, for paid speaking engagements.
Amid mounting pressure for an inquiry into possible Russian influence within his party, Farage has declined to initiate investigations, citing limitations in accessing private communications. He acknowledged the situation as an embarrassment for UKIP and a lesser concern for Reform, suggesting that external agencies like MI5 should delve into the matter.
A spokesperson for Reform UK distanced the party from Coburn, affirming his removal from the 2019 European Election campaign by the Brexit Party and emphasizing no current involvement with Reform UK. The spokesperson condemned any potential misconduct by Coburn and praised the legal actions taken against Gill for his reprehensible behavior, calling for justice to prevail.