Nigel Farage latest: Senior Reform advisers quit as bombshell undercover sting overshadows party conference

Reform’s deputy leader has denied that the party broke any laws regarding allegations about impermissible donations.

Richard Tice told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The reality is that no money has been received whatsoever.

“We’ve got a KC’s opinion that makes clear no rules have been broken.”

He later added that “no benefit in kind was received”.

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice did not rule out Dan Jukes and James Orr returning to the party, after chair Lee Anderson told Sky News there was “no chance” of them doing so.

Mr Orr and Mr Jukes have stepped down and the party has launched an investigation following allegations they breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company.

Rival parties had reported Reform to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that Reform took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year, costing £32,500.

When asked if Mr Orr and Mr Jukes could return, Mr Tice told BBC Radio 4 “let’s wait and see what the investigation says, that will take its course”.

Education secretary Lucy Powell said the positions of two Reform UK officials who stepped down as the party launched an investigation following allegations they breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company were “untenable”.

James Orr and Dan Jukes have stepped down from Reform, a party spokesperson said.

Rival parties had reported the party to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that Reform took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year, costing £32,500.

Ms Powell told BBC Breakfast: “I think their (Mr Orr and Mr Jukes) positions were pretty untenable after the footage thatI saw involving them.

“But we (the Labour Party) have referred this matter to the police as well, because we think that from what we’ve seen in this package from Channel 4, that this is a clear breach of electoral law.”

The Manchester Central MP said it was “part of a pattern” now seen with Reform.

She added: “They’re already under investigation for a very similar allegation of electoral law breach, of somebody else giving money on behalf of somebody else to avoid that scrutiny, which is against the law.

“And Nigel Farage himself is also under investigation from the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner for accepting a donation of £5m which he didn’t declare.

“So, I think there’s a pattern of behaviour we’re seeing with Reform UK really thinking that these rules just don’t apply to them.”

James Orr and Dan Jukes have stepped down from their roles in Reform UK pending the outcome of an investigation by the party into a broadcast by Channel 4 News alleging they breached political donation rules, the party said.

A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK has launched an investigation following the broadcast of a Channel 4 News programme.

“Both individuals involved have stepped down from their respective positions pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The party believes it is important that the investigation is allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice. No further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing.”

Nigel Farage will address the Reform UK conference on Friday as he faces further questions about his party’s finances.

The Reform leader is expected to pledge to make Parliament sit seven days a week in a bid to “fix” Britain in his speech to the party faithful at Birmingham’s NEC.

But his speech risks being overshadowed by allegations that Reform breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company.

Rival parties have reported Reform to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that Reform took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year costing £32,500.

The purported donors were in fact undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.

Foreign companies are not a permissible source of funding for parties, including for payments for studies and research, and accepting donations from them could constitute a criminal offence.

Labour Party chair Bridget Phillipson has called on Mr Farage and his team to “urgently prove” that they had not “broken the law and secretly plotted to undermine our democracy”.

In a letter to the Metropolitan Police, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart said the allegations raised “alarming questions about whether there has been a wider complacency toward foreign interference by the individuals involved”.

Reform has denied any wrongdoing and insisted it has a “robust vetting process” for donors.

The purported donors were in fact undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son.

Foreign companies are not a permissible source of funding for parties, including for payments for studies and research, and accepting donations from them could constitute a criminal offence.

Reform claimed it was the victim of a hoax.

The two-day conference in Birmingham is expected to hear from senior Reform figures setting out their own pledges for their first 100 days in office, as well as an address from Jordan Bardella, leader of the French National Rally.

Nigel Farage is expected to announce that any frontbenchers who fail to achieve those targets “will be sacked”.

He is also due to make his own promise to focus on reducing the cost of living and lead on efforts to end small boat crossings in the Channel.

This summer saw the lowest number of crossings in six years, while the overall number for the year is at its lowest since 2021, but the subject remains a key issue with 16,513 people making the journey so far this year.

Nigel Farage is to announce that he will declare a “national emergency” if Reform UK wins the General Election.

The announcement is set to be made in his keynote speech at the party’s conference in Birmingham.

He will also blast the Tories for their “failed” 14 years in government and highlight that Andy Burnham “wants 10 more”.

To bring home his argument, he will state that “time is running out to save Britain” and that the country “doesn’t have 10 years to be saved”.