The Met has launched an investigation following the Channel 4 broadcast (Alamy)
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The Metropolitan Police has launched an investigation into allegations that Reform UK breached donation rules by using foreign funding.
On Wednesday, the Met said that it had received several reports “relating to donations and polling involving a political party” following a broadcast by Channel 4 on Thursday.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Met said: “Detectives have assessed the information provided and determined that there are potential offences requiring investigation.”
They added: “The potential offences are similar in nature to matters already under investigation by the Met’s Special Enquiry Team relating to donations made to the same political party. As a result, these matters will form part of that ongoing investigation. “
It comes after a Verbatim and Channel 4 investigation appeared to show senior officials discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources.
Under UK electoral law, foreign companies are not permitted to fund party activities.
A Met spokesperson said: “Following a broadcast by Channel 4 News on Thursday, 3 September, the Met received a number of reports relating to donations and polling involving a political party.
The statement added: “All allegations under investigation relate to potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
“As part of enquiries, detectives are seeking to obtain relevant footage relating to the broadcast on Thursday 3, September.
“Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as enquiries progress.”
When the investigation was first broadcast on Channel 4 last week, Reform UK said that the party had been the target of a “hoax”. But on Friday morning the party announced an investigation following the broadcast, with senior officials James Orr and Dan Jukes stepping down.
While Reform had hoped to use its party conference in Birmingham over the weekend to regain its momentum after a difficult few months, senior figures were instead forced to face questions about the revelations.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and will fully cooperate with the investigation. We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is underway.”
