The Metropolitan Police has initiated a criminal investigation into the political party Reform UK concerning allegations of breaking foreign funding laws. This inquiry follows a recent broadcast by Channel 4 News which featured undercover reporters posing as party donors. The broadcast apparently captured two senior Reform UK aides suggesting methods to circumvent electoral law to accept foreign donations, including one potential sum of £500,000.

The investigation is being conducted by the Met's Special Enquiry Team and will be integrated into an existing inquiry into other donations received by the party. A spokesperson for Reform UK stated that the party denies any wrongdoing and pledges full cooperation with the ongoing investigation, adding that no further comments would be made while the investigation is active.

The Met Police confirmed it had received multiple reports pertaining to donations and polling activities involving a political party, subsequent to the broadcast on Thursday evening. The police statement specified that all allegations under investigation relate to potential offenses under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Detectives are actively liaising with the Electoral Commission and the Crown Prosecution Service as their inquiries progress.

The broadcast, which highlighted concerns about electoral law that restricts permissible donors to UK registered voters or UK-registered companies, overshadowed Reform UK's conference in Birmingham. The fallout from the report also led to the departure of two key party figures: Dan Jukes, chief of staff to leader Nigel Farage, and James Orr, head of policy.

During the report, an undercover investigator, posing as the son of an American donor, is shown raising concerns about his father's inability to donate directly to the party within legal boundaries. Jukes reportedly suggested the donation could be made in the name of the UK-based son, with the funds originating from his American father. Orr was also reportedly filmed suggesting the father could fund opinion polling to support one of Reform UK's campaigns.

Farage and Jukes were also filmed at a lunch where a £500,000 donation from the US donor, portrayed by an actor, was discussed. Farage, however, told the BBC that he was not paying attention to the discussion about the potential donation. Channel 4 News has stated that the £500,000 payment was never made. Farage characterized the comments by his aide as "loose pub talk" containing untrue boasts.

Dan Jukes has denied any wrongdoing and stated he has stepped back from politics to clear his name. James Orr previously told Sky News that he would cooperate fully with the party's internal investigation. The Met Police were already examining whether payments received by Reform UK in the weeks preceding the last general election adhered to donation laws.

This developing investigation adds significant scrutiny to the party's funding practices. The Met's probe is also examining donations made directly to the party by Fiona, with the overall inquiry aiming to ensure compliance with electoral funding regulations.