UK announces independent probe into foreign interference in politics

Minister says probe in response to case of ex-Reform UK lawmaker Nathan Gill, jailed for taking pro-Russia bribes.Published On 16 Dec 2025The United Kingdom is launching an independent investigation into foreign interference in British politics, just weeks after a former Reform UK lawmaker was jailed for more than 10 years for taking bribes to make pro-Russia statements.Steve Reed, the UK’s secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, said on Tuesday that he had ordered the probe in response to the case of Nathan Gill, a former Member of the European Parliament and ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales jailed for 10 years over pro-Russia bribeslist 2 of 3Why is the UK leading the charge to curb asylum rights under the ECHR?list 3 of 3Five key takeaways from the UK’s tax-and-spending budgetend of list“A British politician took bribes to further the interests of the Russian regime,” Reed said in the House of Commons. “This conduct is a stain on our democracy. The independent review will work to remove that stain.”Gill was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison on November 21.He pleaded guilty in September to accepting thousands of euros from a pro-Russian politician in Ukraine between 2018 and 2019, and making scripted statements and television appearances at his behest.The case had spurred widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum, with Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party – which has been leading most polls – last month describing Gill’s actions as “reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable”.On Tuesday, Conservative MP Paul Holmes welcomed the independent review into foreign interference as a necessary step.“Protecting the integrity of our democratic system from foreign interference is not a partisan issue. It goes to the heart of public trust in our elections,” Holmes told the House.