The links of Russia with the populist right British are causing concern in the United Kingdom. The influence of the Kremlin on politicians linked to the leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farageas well as the opacity of the donations received by this political group in recent years, have put the authorities on alert, who try to avoid any external interference on the country’s institutions at a time of great geopolitical instability. The Labor Government has launched a series of initiatives to strengthen the transparency of the British political system and to unmask possible Moscow collaborators.
The matter was again in the media spotlight at the end of November, when a court sentenced Nathan Gillformer UK Independence Party (UKIP) MEP and former leader of Reform UK in Wales, for receive bribes from the Kremlin between 2018 and 2019. The judges considered it proven that Gill, close to Farage, received at least £40,000 (45,800 euros) in exchange for defending prorusic ukrainian politicians in at least two television interviews, in addition to giving speeches in the European Parliament to prevent the closure of two Ukrainian media outlets controlled by Moscow, 112 Ukraine and NewsOne. The former MEP acknowledged the facts and was sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison.
The scandal has also affected David Colburnanother former MEP and former UKIP leader in Scotland. In WhatsApp messages revealed during Gill’s trial, a Kremlin liaison in Ukraine claimed to have reserved some 5,000 pounds (5,700 euros) presumably for him, although his involvement has not been proven by a court. The head of the anti-terrorist unit of the Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), however, assured that Gill had a “leadership role” and that he used his influence to get up to eight MEPs from his party to “publicly support” the Russia narrative in Ukraine.
Independent investigation
Gill’s conviction has led the Labor Government to announce a independent investigation on donations to parties and possible means of foreign interference. The investigation, led by the former high official Philip Rycroftaims to evaluate the effectiveness of political finance laws in the United Kingdom and analyze the safeguards in place to prevent the entry of illicit money coming from third countries, including cryptocurrencies. The report should be ready at the end of next March and will be used to write the bill of elections and democracy that the Executive wants to process in the Parliament.
Relations between Russia and the populist right have given wings to laborwho are trying to win votes from a Reform UK that leads the polls with a wide margin over its main rivals. Even the prime minister, Keir Starmerlaunched a message of rebuke to the populists, in a sarcastic tone, in his last parliamentary intervention before the Christmas break. “A little festive advice for Reform members: If mysterious men from the East appear with gifts, this time “Let the police know.”Starmer said with a laugh.
but for now Farage has tried to drain the lump and has rejected the requests of his rivals, who demand that he launch an internal investigation to find out how far Russia’s tentacles reached within his formation. “I can’t access phone messages, I can’t access emails… Unless I can do it, “I can’t investigate”has assured the populist leader, who has referred to Gill as a “bad apple” in his party. “I’ve asked everyone: Have you ever accepted money you shouldn’t have from someone? And no one has said yes.”
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