Reform UK’s conference in Birmingham comes as the party has sunk to third place in polls
Two senior Reform advisers have stepped down from their roles in the party amid an investigation into allegations they breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company.
A report broadcast 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.
Dan Jukes, a senior aide to party leader Nigel Farage, and James Orr, head of policy at Reform UK, were both implicated in the allegations.
Meanwhile, Mr Farage is to announce that he will make Parliament “sit day and night” until all legislation is passed if Reform UK wins the next general election.
The announcement is set to be made in his keynote speech at the party’s conference in Birmingham.
He will also blast the Tories for their “failed” 14 years in government and highlight that Andy Burnham “wants 10 more”.
James Orr and Dan Jukes have stepped down from their roles in Reform UK pending the outcome of an investigation by the party into a broadcast by Channel 4 News alleging they breached political donation rules, the party said.
A Reform UK spokesman 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.”
Nigel Farage will address the Reform UK conference on Friday as he faces further questions about his party’s finances.
The Reform leader is expected to pledge to make Parliament sit seven days a week in a bid to “fix” Britain in his speech to the party faithful at Birmingham’s NEC.
But his speech risks being overshadowed by allegations that Reform breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company.
Rival parties have reported Reform to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that 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.
Foreign companies are not a permissible source of funding for parties, including for payments for studies and research, and accepting donations from them could constitute a criminal offence.
Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson has called on Mr Farage and his team to “urgently prove” that they had not “broken the law and secretly plotted to undermine our democracy”.
In a letter to the Metropolitan Police, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart said the allegations raised “alarming questions about whether there has been a wider complacency toward foreign interference by the individuals involved”.
Reform has denied any wrongdoing and insisted it has a “robust vetting process” for donors.
Reform UK has been reported to the police over allegations it breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company.
Nigel Farage’s party took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year costing £32,500, Channel 4 News reported.
The purported donors were in fact undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.
Foreign companies are not a permissible source of funding for parties, including for payments for studies and research, and accepting donations from them could constitute a criminal offence.
Reform claimed it was the victim of a hoax.
The two-day conference in Birmingham is expected to hear from senior Reform figures setting out their own pledges for their first 100 days in office, as well as an address from Jordan Bardella, leader of the French National Rally.
Nigel Farage is expected to announce that any frontbenchers who fail to achieve those targets “will be sacked”.
He is also due to make his own promise to focus on reducing the cost of living and lead on efforts to end small boat crossings in the Channel.
This summer saw the lowest number of crossings in six years, while the overall number for the year is at its lowest since 2021, but the subject remains a key issue with 16,513 people making the journey so far this year.
Nigel Farage is to announce that he will declare a “national emergency” if Reform UK wins the General Election.
The announcement is set to be made in his keynote speech at the party’s conference in Birmingham.
He will also blast the Tories for their “failed” 14 years in government and highlight that Andy Burnham “wants 10 more”.
To bring home his argument, he will state that “time is running out to save Britain” and that the country “doesn’t have 10 years to be saved”.
A company tied to to Chelsea FC co-owner Todd Boehly donated £75,000 to Reform earlier this year
Electoral Commission registrations, which were published today, revealed that Elridge Capital Management Services (UK) LTD gave Nigel Farage’s party the money earlier this year.
Mr Boehly is the chief executive of Eldridge Industries, an American holding company headquartered in Miami.
Eldridge Capital Management Services is ultimately controlled by Mr Boehly and he is listed as a former director.
Andy Burnham is facing increasing pressure to ramp up defence spending after Donald Trump suggested he would not back Britain if Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, in retaliation for the UK’s stance on the Iran war.
As the row over the sovereignty of the archipelago deepens, Mr Trump again hit out at what he sees as a failure to support his actions in Iran when asked if he would come to the aid of the UK.
“Your country was not there to help me,” he told GB News on Thursday, just days after he said he was reviewing the United States’ position on British sovereignty over the islands.
Interest rates should be increased to curb growing inflation risks triggered by the energy crisis in the Middle East, the Bank of England’s chief economist has warned.
Huw Pill said he was “uncomfortable with a ‘wait-and-see’” stance from his fellow policymakers.
Mr Pill also warned of the dangers of holding rates steady while awaiting firmer evidence on how the conflict involving Iran will influence inflationary pressure across the UK economy.
The Holborn and St Pancras by-election could be “make or break” for Zack Polanski if he is selected as the Green Party’s candidate, polling guru professor Sir John Curtice has warned.
He told The Independent the contest would be a “severe test” of the Green Party leader’s abilities, warning it is likely to be a “tough gig” for the party given how successful Labour has been in the seat historically.
It comes after Mr Polanski, who is currently not an MP but sits on the London Assembly, said he wants to stand in the contest, triggered by the resignation of former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
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