UK elections watchdog overseeing campaign funding and conduct amid Reform UK donation scrutiny and foreign-donor investigations.
Electoral Commission findings show a sustained rise in harassment and intimidation targeting candidates in England’s local and mayoral elections, with women, minority groups and disabled candidates most affected. The watchdog calls parties to tighten rules and social platforms to curb abuse and protect candidates.
Reform UK faces renewed questions as undercover Channel 4 footage shows senior aides discussing how foreign money could fund polling and influence campaigns. Farage denies wrongdoing, while police say offences may be investigated and internal reviews continue amid a Birmingham conference backdrop.
Expats Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne have donated £72m to Reform UK, prompting the government to push revamped rules on donations from Britons living abroad. Debates in Parliament are intensifying as calls grow for a cap on individual gifts and retrospective application of rules.
Reform UK has received a massive windfall, with donations totaling around 72m pounds, fueling a nationwide ground campaign and advertising push. The party argues the funds will build a campaign machine in target seats, while critics warn of potential sleaze and rule changes. The donations prompt scrutiny of party finances and donor transparency as the election timetable looms.
The government is expanding a cap on political donations by overseas voters and tightening checks on company contributions as part of amendments to the Representation of the People Bill. Donors returning to the UK face a year-long cap, while donations from companies are now assessed on five-year post-tax profits. Readers are guided to the detailed source material for context and quotes.
The Metropolitan Police are investigating a 7,5000 donation to Robert Jenrick’s leadership campaign to Conservative leader in 2024 after a referral from the Electoral Commission. The funds were routed via Spott Fitness and may originate from a foreign source. Jenrick has rejected the claims as false and says he fully cooperated with authorities.
The Representation of the People Bill is under debate as MPs push to tighten rules on political donations and spending. The debate comes amid revelations of large crypto-linked contributions to Reform UK and scrutiny of foreign influence, with Labour urging a universal, tight cap on donations. The government has introduced a moratorium on crypto donations while considering new checks on donor legitimacy.
Nigel Farage has announced a by-election in Clacton as he faces ongoing parliamentary standards investigations over a £5 million gift and related donations. Main parties decline to contest, leaving Count Binface as his rival; observers question whether the move is a genuine bid for endorsement or a tactic to pre-empt scrutiny. The story is developing as police and investigators examine the funding sources.
Nigel Farage has faced renewed questions about a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire and related undisclosed liabilities as Reform UK seeks to regain momentum ahead of Clacton by-elections. Several outlets report that discussions about Reform’s finances occurred before his return to frontline politics, with investigations paused as he stands in the by-election.
Nigel Farage has unveiled "Operation Fortress": a Reform UK plan to use the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the English Channel, detain those on board, and return them to France or Belgium. The proposal has drawn legal, military and diplomatic scepticism, French officials have condemned it, and rivals say it aims to distract from party financial scandals.
Reform UK’s Operation Fortress proposes deploying the Royal Navy to return small boats crossing the Channel. France calls the plan a violation of sovereignty and maritime law, while UK officials defend it as a humanitarian-focused effort. The policy faces scrutiny amid ongoing political scandals within Reform and ongoing migrant crossings.
Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she was betrayed by Peter Murrell, who pleaded guilty to embezzling SNP funds. She reveals she did not know of the crimes until the day of his guilty plea and will not visit him in prison.
The Electoral Commission has paused vote counting amid reports of violence and theft of ballot papers. Bishops warn that delays undermine election credibility, while the government and opposition accuse each other of irregularities. Official results are expected soon as observers monitor the process.
Nigel Farage has faced renewed scrutiny over a £5m donation and alleged foreign funding, with two top aides suspended as Channel 4 footage prompts police inquiries. Reform UK confronts internal turmoil as the party prepares for its Birmingham conference and a high-stakes debate over leadership and donor transparency.
Two Reform UK aides have been suspended following undercover footage aired by Channel 4 News alleging potential evasion of electoral rules linked to a 350,000 donor. The party says no laws have been broken. Police and the Electoral Commission are reviewing the claims. The party also faced questions over the funding of three polls ordered this year.