Labour leader Keir Starmer has strongly criticized Nigel Farage, urging him to investigate any additional connections between Reform and Russia. Starmer expressed astonishment and dismay over a former high-ranking member of Farage’s party, Nathan Gill, receiving a lengthy prison sentence for accepting Russian bribes. Gill, the ex-Welsh leader of Reform UK, was sentenced to over a decade in jail after confessing to delivering scripted speeches during his time as a European Parliament member.
During a parliamentary update, Starmer emphasized the gravity of the situation, questioning how such actions occurred within Reform UK and urging the party leadership to conduct a thorough investigation. The Labour leader’s comments came in response to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who also criticized Reform for its pro-Putin stance, asserting that the party would hinder global collaboration on crucial issues.
Pressure is mounting on Farage to probe whether Gill’s misconduct was an isolated incident. Gill, who admitted to multiple counts of blackmail, served as a UKIP and Brexit Party MEP from 2014 to 2020. Reacting to the allegations, Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice denounced Putin as a “vile dictator” and dismissed criticisms as mere “noise” during a heated exchange in Parliament.
Tice emphasized his and Reform’s unwavering support for Ukraine, highlighting personal efforts to aid the country’s soldiers. Despite the controversy, Farage downplayed demands for an investigation, stating that Reform is not a policing authority. The scandal involving Gill, who received substantial payments from a pro-Russia Ukrainian figure, has raised concerns about potential ties to the Kremlin.