Nigel Farage faced heavy criticism in Parliament regarding his associate from Reform who confessed to accepting Russian bribes. During a tense exchange on national security, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty rebuked the Reform UK leader for complaining despite revelations of bribery by senior Reform figure Nathan Gill in support of Russia.
The disgraced 52-year-old former UKIP and Brexit Party MEP, previously the leader of Reform UK in Wales until 2021, is awaiting sentencing next month. Gill, who referred to Mr Farage as a “friend and colleague,” has been frequently seen alongside him.
In a discussion about the Chagos Islands, Mr Farage expressed discontent, alleging that Mauritius would not honor a treaty and suggesting Chinese influence on the nation’s affairs. Responding to this, Labour minister Mr Doughty criticized Mr Farage for speaking on national security given the bribery admission by the former leader of his party in Wales and for echoing Kremlin narratives blaming NATO for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Gill served as a UKIP and later Brexit Party MEP from 2014 to 2020, leading UKIP Wales from 2014 to 2016. He briefly led Reform UK Wales in 2021 and spearheaded the party’s campaign for the Senedd/Welsh Parliament elections before leaving the party.
Pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery between December 2018 and July 2019, Gill accepted money from Oleg Voloshyn, described by the US government as linked to the Russian security services. Gill advocated for pro-Russian TV channels in the European Parliament and on television, including appearances supporting Vladimir Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk, who faced legal issues.
Following Gill’s case at the Old Bailey, Commander Dominic Murphy highlighted the seriousness of an elected official accepting payments to promote narratives benefiting Russian interests. Mr Farage, expressing surprise at Gill’s actions, claimed ignorance of Gill’s pro-Russian activities.
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