Police launch criminal investigation into Reform UK donations

The Metropolitan Police is carrying out a criminal investigation into allegations Reform UK broke the law in relation to foreign funding, following a broadcast by Channel 4 News last week.

Two senior aides were removed from their jobs last week after an undercover investigation recorded them talking about how to get money to the party from an American donor and asking a fake company to pay for polling.

The police investigation by the Met's Special Enquiry Team is being folded into an inquiry that has been under way into other donations to the party.

A Reform UK spokesman said the party "denies any wrongdoing and will fully cooperate with the investigation".

"We won't be commenting further while a live investigation is under way."

A Met spokesperson said it had received "a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party", following the film by Channel 4 News and Verbatim Investigations.

In its statement, the Met Police said: "All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000."

"Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress."