Farage aides step down after undercover report on Reform UK donations

Two key aides to Nigel Farage have stepped down from their roles pending the outcome of an investigation by Reform UK into a broadcast by Channel 4 News alleging they breached political donation rules, a party spokesperson said.James Orr and Dan Jukes are alleged to have breached donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company.A report by Channel 4 News claimed Reform took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year costing £32,500.The purported donors were in fact undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.Jukes, a senior aide to party leader Farage, and Orr, head of policy at Reform UK, were implicated in the allegations.The spokesperson said: “Reform UK has launched an investigation following the broadcast of a Channel 4 News programme.“Both individuals involved have stepped down from their respective positions pending the outcome of the investigation.“The party believes it is important that the investigation is allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice. No further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing.”