Labour leader Keir Starmer has initiated an investigation into foreign financial meddling in British politics following the imprisonment of former Reform party member Nathan Gill for accepting Russian bribes. Gill, who previously led the party in Wales, was handed a 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence for promoting pro-Russia propaganda in interviews and speeches during his time as a Member of the European Parliament for UKIP and the Brexit Party under Nigel Farage’s leadership.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed condemned Gill’s actions as a “blemish on our democracy” and announced plans for an independent inquiry. Reed highlighted the seriousness of the situation, emphasizing that an elected official had accepted bribes to propagate falsehoods on behalf of a hostile foreign power responsible for the death of a British citizen and the invasion of a sovereign European nation.
The investigation, led by former senior civil servant Philip Rycroft, will examine the impact of foreign funding on British politics and propose measures to prevent interference. This move follows the government’s recent efforts to safeguard elections from external influence, with Reed acknowledging the need to strengthen existing protections in light of recent events.
The decision to launch the probe is expected to increase the scrutiny on Nigel Farage, who previously dismissed the idea of investigating Russian influences within his party. Despite this, Farage expressed support for a broader investigation into foreign interference, acknowledging the need for transparency and accountability.
In response to the unfolding events, Rose Zussman from Transparency International UK praised the government’s prompt action in addressing the threat posed by foreign actors seeking to influence British democracy. Zussman emphasized the importance of implementing a cap on political donations to prevent undue influence and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.