Lib Dems report Reform UK to the police over donations scandal
EMBARGO: Immediate Release
Following the Channel 4 report into Reform this evening, revealing a potential plot by the party to break the law on party funding, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart has written to the police and the Electoral Commission, asking them to start an investigation.
Commenting, Lisa Smart MP Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office Spokesperson said:
"Farage has always behaved as though the rules apply to everyone but him. These new allegations against Reform look like the latest example, and must be dealt with swiftly by the authorities."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
See letter on X here.
Text of Lisa Smart's letter to the Metropolitan Police Special Enquiries Team and Electoral Commission is below.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey spoke to Channel 4 news this evening.
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To: Metropolitan Police Special Enquiry Team
CC: Electoral Commission
To whom it may concern,
Re: Report of suspected offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 - Mr James Orr.
I am writing to report to your unit a potential serious breach of electoral law, involving the acceptance and concealment of a donation from an impermissible donor. The breach raises alarming questions about whether there has been a wider complacency toward foreign interference by the individuals involved.
Channel 4 News has tonight reported that Mr James Orr, Senior Adviser to Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, facilitated a £32,500 donation from a foreign citizen and an impermissible donor. This would be a clear breach of section 56 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act. The funding appears to have been channelled into political spending on behalf of Reform UK, and therefore a donation in kind, in a manner apparently structured so as to avoid the payment being recorded and reported as a donation to the Electoral Commission.This would constitute a clear breach of section 61 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act. The polling that these funds were used to commission was featured in the Times and Telegraph as media stories, following briefing by the party.
We are separately notifying the Electoral Commission. Given the seriousness of this potential offence, the involvement of a close aide to the leader of a major political party and the potential implications for foreign interference in our political life I believe this matter is appropriate for your team to investigate.
I would be grateful if you could confirm receipt of this report and let me know whether the Special Enquiry Team intends to start an investigation.
Your sincerely,
Lisa Smart MP
Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson
See report from Channel 4 here https://channel4news.substack.com/p/exclusive-nigel-farage-filmed-undercover
