‘I wasn’t even listening,’ Farage says of donations scandal meeting

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage stated he "wasn't even listening" during a meeting where his aides, Dan Jukes and James Orr, were filmed appearing to discuss circumventing laws on overseas donations. Farage claimed he knew donation law well and was told the money was coming through a UK family office. The controversy has led to Jukes and Orr's suspension. The party attempted to shift focus to policy, with Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick announcing plans for a tax-free personal allowance increase. However, Jenrick also deflected questions about the donations scandal. The Metropolitan Police are assessing evidence regarding potential breaches of political funding laws, with Farage and the suspended aides denying wrongdoing. Separately, police are investigating an alleged assault on a climate activist removed from the conference.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faced heckling from protesters while speaking at the party's conference in Birmingham on Friday. The article does not provide further details on the content of the heckling or the specific reasons for the protest. Farage was addressing the conference at the time of the incident. The article does not mention any denials or statements made by Farage regarding illegal funding.

Nigel Farage is attempting to manage a leadership crisis at Reform UK's party conference following an undercover investigation by Verbatim reporters. Two senior officials, Dan Jukes and James Orr, have been suspended and reported to the police for allegedly plotting to evade foreign donation laws. The investigation revealed attempts to orchestrate impermissible donations from a fake US businessman, with footage showing Jukes and Orr discussing channeling funds through a UK intermediary. Farage acknowledged "human error" by the suspended officials, who deny wrongdoing. The Metropolitan Police are assessing evidence for potential breaches of political funding laws, which could lead to a full investigation. The scandal has overshadowed the conference and exposed internal party divisions.

Reform UK is facing accusations of violating UK foreign funding rules following an undercover investigation by Channel 4. Senior officials Dan Jukes and James Orr were allegedly filmed discussing methods to circumvent laws that prohibit political parties from accepting donations from overseas individuals or organizations. The investigation, conducted by Verbatim, reportedly showed Jukes discussing a proposal for a large donation from a US financier through his UK-resident son, and Orr suggesting a US donor fund opinion polls for the party. In response, Reform UK announced an internal probe, and both Jukes and Orr have stepped down pending its outcome. Nigel Farage, the party leader, has accused the journalists of entrapment and insisted the party has broken no laws. The Labour Party has requested a police investigation into the allegations.

Reform UK has suspended two senior officials, Dan Jukes and James Orr, following an undercover sting by Channel 4. The broadcaster aired footage appearing to show Jukes discussing channeling a large donation from a U.S. financier through his son, and Orr discussing the donor paying for opinion polls. These actions could violate British electoral law, which restricts donations to those from British voters or U.K.-registered businesses. Party leader Nigel Farage denied any wrongdoing, accusing the journalists of entrapment. The allegations surfaced during Reform UK's annual conference. The Electoral Commission and the Metropolitan Police are reportedly considering the claims.

Cambridge University is investigating the conduct of James Orr, an associate professor and senior aide to Reform UK, after he was filmed appearing to attempt to circumvent electoral laws regarding foreign political donations. Orr, who was the suspended head of policy for Reform UK, is one of two officials to step aside following claims he orchestrated a plan for polling to be paid for by a foreign firm, which is illegal in Britain. The footage, captured by investigative journalists, shows Orr suggesting that a US company belonging to an undercover reporter's supposed father could fund the polling. Reform UK initially called the investigation a "hoax," but Orr and another aide have since stood down pending an internal party inquiry.