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Met Police Launch Criminal Probe Into Reform UK Donation Rules

By Drooid · Sep 12, 2026, 2:08 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Met Police Investigates

Metropolitan Police opened a criminal investigation on 9 September 2026 into Reform UK for breaches of UK foreign-donation rules after a Channel 4 undercover documentary.
Party leader Nigel Farage said he was honoured and humbled by the donation; donor Ben Delo argued it levels the playing field for Reform UK.
Reform UK suspended adviser Dan Jukes and policy chief James Orr pending investigation.
Police said the probe falls under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Left

Met Police Probe

On 9 September 2026, Metropolitan Police launched a criminal investigation into Reform UK for possible breaches of UK foreign-donation rules.
The probe shows how wealthy foreign-linked donors can threaten democratic fairness.
Ben Delo, convicted in the United States for anti-money-laundering failures and pardoned by President Donald Trump, gave Reform UK £36 million.
Labour MP Stella Creasy said the £36 million gift proves a donation cap is urgently needed to protect democracy.

Blindspot

Labour MP Stella Creasy said the £36 million donation to Reform UK demonstrates the urgent need for a cap on political donations to protect British democracy.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 2005-06 cash-for-honours probe began after four businessmen loaned the Labour Party £5 million during the 2005 election, leading to blocked peerages and police questioning Prime Minister Tony Blair as a witness. The scandal revived the 1925 Honours Act, originally passed after Lloyd George’s cash-for-honours abuse. Today the Metropolitan Police’s 2026 investigation of Reform UK’s £36 million Ben Delo donation echoes that legacy.

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Met Police Investigates

Metropolitan Police opened a criminal investigation on 9 September 2026 into Reform UK for breaches of UK foreign-donation rules after a Channel 4 undercover documentary.
Party leader Nigel Farage said he was honoured and humbled by the donation; donor Ben Delo argued it levels the playing field for Reform UK.
Reform UK suspended adviser Dan Jukes and policy chief James Orr pending investigation.
Police said the probe falls under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

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