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Former Reform UK Leader Jailed for Taking Russian Bribes to Spread Kremlin Propaganda
Nathan Gill, a 52-year-old former Reform UK leader in Wales, has been sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison after admitting he accepted bribes to deliver pro-Russia statements while serving as a Member of the European Parliament.
The case has sent shockwaves through British politics, raising serious concerns about Russian interference in UK democratic institutions and prompting calls for broader investigations into foreign influence operations.
Gill pleaded guilty to eight bribery charges, acknowledging he received payments from Oleh Voloshyn, a former Ukrainian politician with close ties to Viktor Medvedchuk, a longtime ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prosecutors revealed Gill accepted approximately £40,000 ($52,500) between December 2018 and July 2019 in exchange for promoting Kremlin-friendly narratives about Ukraine.
The scandal came to light after police stopped Gill at Manchester Airport in September 2021 as he attempted to travel to Russia to attend a conference and observe elections. Investigators discovered incriminating WhatsApp messages on his phone that used coded language referring to payments as “Xmas gifts” and “postcards.”
According to court documents, Gill used his position as an MEP to promote Russian interests by giving speeches in the European Parliament supporting pro-Kremlin media outlets in Ukraine, including 112 Ukraine and NewsOne, both linked to Medvedchuk. He also helped arrange an event in Strasbourg promoting a Russian-backed “peace plan” for the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which Putin personally praised on Russian television the following day.
The court heard that Gill’s arrangement with Voloshyn became a “regular habit,” with messages showing the Ukrainian promising payments such as “I’ll get you 5k.” Gill also attempted to recruit other European parliamentarians from Germany, France, and the UK to speak to Russian-aligned media, telling Voloshyn he could “drag a few in” when asked to involve colleagues. Prosecutors noted there was no evidence these other MEPs knew about the bribes.
Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police described Gill as an “extraordinarily willing participant” in the bribery scheme and linked the case to broader Russian influence operations in Britain, including the Salisbury poisonings and a recent arson attack in London.
“This case demonstrates the persistent threat posed by hostile states like Russia,” Murphy said. “Their attempts to undermine Western democracies and advance their geopolitical interests through covert influence operations represent a particular challenge for our security services.”
The sentencing comes amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and growing concerns about Moscow’s efforts to influence European politics by supporting extremist movements and politicians who spread pro-Kremlin narratives.
The revelation has created significant political fallout for Reform UK, a right-wing populist party currently led by Nigel Farage. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called Gill “a traitor” and questioned where his true loyalties lie. Prime Minister Keir Starmer demanded that Farage examine his party’s links to Russia, while Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar described Reform UK as a threat to national security.
Reform UK quickly distanced itself from Gill, calling his actions “reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable” and welcoming the prison sentence. Farage insisted he had no knowledge of the bribery scheme, describing Gill as a “bad apple” within the organization.
Gill’s political career spanned multiple Eurosceptic parties. He initially served as an MEP representing the UK Independence Party (UKIP) from 2014 before joining the Brexit Party (later renamed Reform UK). His earliest known bribery offense occurred on the day he left UKIP in 2018.
Meanwhile, Voloshyn, who arranged the payments to Gill, is believed to be living in Russia and is wanted by both British and Ukrainian authorities. In Ukraine, he faces charges of high treason for his alleged role in Russian influence operations.
The Metropolitan Police have indicated that investigations continue into whether other individuals were involved in similar criminal activities related to Russian influence operations in the UK.
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10 Comments
It’s disheartening to see an elected official betray the public trust in this way. Accepting bribes to promote Kremlin propaganda is a serious abuse of power that undermines the democratic process. This case underscores the need for robust anti-corruption measures.
Bribery and foreign interference in our elections is a very serious issue. This politician’s actions are a betrayal of the public trust. I’m glad to see the authorities take strong action to hold him accountable.
Absolutely. Jailing someone for 10 years sends a clear message that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. We need to continue strengthening safeguards to prevent future incidents like this.
This scandal is a sobering reminder of the threats posed by Russian disinformation and interference. I hope this leads to a wider crackdown on foreign influence operations targeting the UK and Europe.
Agreed. We need to be vigilant and take a firm stance against any attempts to subvert our democratic processes, whether through bribery, propaganda, or other means. Protecting the integrity of our institutions should be a top priority.
It’s troubling to see the Kremlin attempting to infiltrate and undermine the EU Parliament through bribery and propaganda. This case highlights the need for robust measures to combat foreign influence and protect democratic institutions.
This is a troubling development that raises serious concerns about foreign interference in UK politics. The fact that a former member of parliament accepted bribes to spread Kremlin propaganda is deeply alarming and warrants a thorough investigation. We must remain vigilant against such threats to our democratic institutions.
Absolutely. Protecting the integrity of our political system should be a top priority. This case highlights the need for stronger safeguards and greater transparency to prevent foreign actors from undermining our democratic processes.
This is a deeply concerning case of foreign influence in British politics. Accepting bribes to spread Kremlin propaganda is unacceptable and undermines democratic institutions. I hope this leads to a thorough investigation into other potential instances of foreign interference.
Agreed. We need to be vigilant against all attempts to subvert our democratic processes, regardless of the source. Strong action against corruption is essential to protect the integrity of our political system.