Police Review Alleged Foreign Donation to Robert Jenrick’s Leadership Campaign

Metropolitan Police are reviewing a referral on a £100,000 donation to Robert Jenrick’s 2024 campaign, with £37,500 alleged from U.S. businessman Gary Klopfenstein via Innovyz USA.

The Guardian

Jenrick, a Conservative MP, raised funds for a 2024 leadership bid before defecting to Reform UK; the Conservative Party referred him to the standards commissioner.

The Guardian

8 July 2024 – Klopfenstein payment; 24 July 2024; 2024 – £100,000 donation from Spott Fitness; 2025 – Ullman disclosed £37,500 origin; 6 Jan 2026 – Electoral Commission referral to police.

The Guardian

Jenrick’s campaign received £100,000 from Spott Fitness Ltd; £37,500 of it is alleged to have come from U.S. businessman Gary Klopfenstein, about 38% of the total.

The Guardian

Police are reviewing the referral; the Electoral Commission paused its probe pending police assessment. Jenrick’s team claimed compliance with law and no Klopfenstein contact; Conservative Party referred him to the standards commissioner; Ullman said he voluntarily gave information and will cooperate.

The Guardian

Critics argue the investigation could embarrass Jenrick and Reform UK ahead of the local elections, describing the allegations as a politically motivated smear.

The Guardian

Initial reports said the £100,000 came entirely from Ullman’s Spott Fitness (spelled Ullmann in some sources); later disclosures identified £37,500 as sourced from Klopfenstein, and police have not yet confirmed any breach.

The Guardian

• “On Tuesday, 6 January we received a referral from the Electoral Commission concerning donations connected to a leadership campaign. This referral is under review and until it has been completed, we’re not in a position to comment further.” — Metropolitan Police spokesperson

The Guardian

• “A spokesman for Jenrick said: “The suggestion that Robert knowingly accepted impermissible donations is an untrue, politically motivated smear, put about years later by the Conservatives, despite the fact that Mr Ullman was introduced to Robert by a Tory MP, and had his donations’ permissibility checked by the party.” — Robert Jenrick spokesperson

The Guardian

• “We have been investigating donations connected to a 2024 leadership campaign. Evidence of potential offences outside our remit was referred to the Metropolitan police service on 6 January 2026. Our investigation is paused pending their assessment. We don’t discuss the details of our investigations and cannot comment further at this stage.” — Electoral Commission spokesperson

The Guardian

• “Mr Ullmann voluntarily disclosed additional information to the Electoral Commission … He has continued to engage proactively with their subsequent investigation ever since. He has fully responded to all the questions they have asked of him to date and stands ready to support the authorities in any way he can.” — Phillip Ullman spokesperson

The Guardian

Police will decide whether to launch a formal investigation; the standards commissioner’s inquiry proceeds, and the issue is likely to influence the upcoming local elections.

The Guardian