Labour Calls For Probe Into Pro-Russia Links Within Reform

Labour has called for a probe into pro-Russian links within Reform UK after the party’s former leader in Wales was sentenced to more than a decade behind bars for taking bribes to promote pro-Russian propaganda.

Nathan Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery between December 6, 2018, and July 18, 2019, back in September and was today sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison.

He admitted accepting substantial sums to make pro-Russian remarks both to the media and to the European parliament back when he was an MEP for the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and then the Brexit Party.

He served as the leader of Reform UK Wales from March to May 2021, and has been closely associated with Nigel Farage – who has served as leader of both UKIP and the Brexit Party – over the years.

Police have confirmed Farage has not been a part of this investigation and that Gill is no longer a member of Reform.

Still, Labour’s defence minister Al Carns called on the Reform UK leader to conduct a “forensic” independent investigation to root out any pro-Russian links within Reform.

He urged Farage to “leave no stone unturned” and review “every inch” of the party, including donors and membership.

Farage previously said he was “stunned” to learn of Gill’s crimes.

Gill’s sentencing comes amid rising concerns over Russia’s interference in the UK, with the government having revealed a Russian spy ship was in UK waters only earlier this week.

Carns said: “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. It’s time Nigel Farage proved he isn’t happy to parrot Kremlin talking points any longer and demonstrate to the public that Putin has no hold over his party.”

Farage himself has been accused of being pro-Putin in the past, having said in 2014 the Russian authoritarian was the leader he admired the most.

He has also been accused of aligning with some Kremlin talking points, after claiming the EU and Nato “provoked” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 by trying to expand eastwards.

Counter-terrorism police believe Gill, motived by “greed” and possibly an element of a “pro-Russian stance”, took at least £40,000 in cash and offered to introduce other MEPs so they could also be bribed.

Officers believe some individuals involved may have even had direct links to Putin.

The Liberal Democrats also responded to Gill’s sentencing, writing on X: “Nathan Gill; A traitor who was at the very top of Reform UK, aiding and abetting Russian adversaries, has been sentenced today. Reform UK should be ashamed. Britain deserves better.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski taunted Reform over the party’s attempts to distance themselves from Gill in recent months. He wrote on X: “Has Nigel Farage or Zia Yusuf remembered who Nathan Gill is yet?”

A Reform UK spokesman told HuffPost UK: “Mr Gill’s actions were reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable.

“We are glad that justice has been served and fully welcome the sentence Nathan Gill has received.”