Banks refuses to deny hiring investigators to surveil journalist after Reform UK finance probes

Arron Banks, a prominent member of Reform UK and former Brexit campaigner, has come under scrutiny after allegations emerged that he hired private investigators to surveil a journalist. The surveillance reportedly targeted Gabriel Pogrund, editor of the Sunday Times’ Insight investigations team, following a series of reports detailing the party’s finances and donations received by leader Nigel Farage.

The details of the alleged operation were first reported by the New Statesman on Friday. It is understood that Banks instructed Precision Risk and Intelligence, a firm he previously owned, to examine Pogrund. The trigger for the investigation is believed to be a Sunday Times story revealing that Farage received financial support from George Cottrell, a convicted criminal known as “Posh George”.

When asked directly if he had paid investigators to look into Pogrund, Banks did not issue a denial. Instead, he stated, “When you live by the sword, you die by the sword.” He further claimed that the Sunday Times had used “hacked information” and noted that his investigative arm possessed “advanced capabilities”.

The Sunday Times has strongly condemned the alleged surveillance, describing it as “reprehensible”. A spokesperson for the newspaper denied that its reporting was based on illegally sourced information, asserting that the stories were the product of “responsible and professional journalism”. The paper emphasised that if Banks’ actions are true, they represent an unacceptable reaction to media scrutiny.

The allegations arise amid intense media attention on Reform UK’s financial dealings. Recent reports have highlighted significant donations from wealthy benefactors, including a £5m gift from Christopher Harborne and funds linked to the Cottrell family. These transactions have attracted the attention of law enforcement, with the Metropolitan Police investigating the party’s finances and the National Crime Agency having previously flagged suspicious activity reports regarding the funds.

On Saturday morning, when asked if Reform UK had sanctioned the surveillance or if other journalists were targeted, Banks stated he had spoken to no one at the party on the matter. He added that he had “nothing else to add” regarding the allegations, leaving the question of institutional oversight unanswered.

The scrutiny extends to the broader context of Farage’s entry into politics. While Farage has claimed he was not obliged to declare donations received before deciding to stand for election in July 2024, investigations continue into the source of funds that supported his campaign, including security and accommodation paid for by Cottrell.