Two Farage aides resign after foreign donations undercover sting

Full text

BIRMINGHAM, England — Nigel Farage lost two of his closest advisers after they were caught in an undercover sting investigating party financing.

The start of the main day of the Reform UK conference in Birmingham on Friday was rocked by the resignations of Dan Jukes, Farage’s long-term media chief, and James Orr, his senior policy adviser.

The pair quit after Channel 4 broadcast footage apparently showing them agreeing to take donations from a foreign benefactor via a middle-man in the U.K. Experts allege taking the cash and seeking to hide its providence could be a breach of electoral law. Labour Party Chair Bridget Phillipson on Friday reported the matter to the Metropolitan Police, although no investigation has been launched.

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.”

The departures mark an abrupt about-turn in Reform’s response to the Channel 4 sting. Last night, the party went on the attack, claiming Jukes, Orr and Farage — who features in the footage — were “the target of a hoax perpetuated by foreign-funded, climate change activists” and denying any wrongdoing.

The footage broadcast by Channel 4 was gathered by Verbatim, an undercover reporting outfit linked to the Center for Climate Reporting.

The footage showed Farage meeting undercover reporters posing as a wealthy U.S. backer and his son. Channel 4 News said the two men had at this point already funded £32,500-worth of polling commissioned by Reform in a potential breach of electoral law.

This developing story is being updated.