Reform UK officials filmed discussing undisclosed foreign funding for polling

An undercover investigation broadcast by Channel 4 has alleged that senior Reform UK officials plotted to circumvent laws governing foreign donations. The inquiry, conducted by journalists from Verbatim and funded by the Centre for Climate Reporting, involved operatives posing as a UK-based supporter and his American father, an impermissible donor under current rules. The US father paid for £30,000 of polling commissioned by the party, a benefit in kind that was not disclosed to the Electoral Commission.

The polling, conducted by JL Partners, was reported in The Telegraph and The Times without attribution to Reform UK or its US funder. The Telegraph has since suspended articles regarding the poll, while The Times stated it was unaware of the relationship with the party. The incident has reignited scrutiny of the party’s financial practices, which are already the subject of a standards inquiry and a police investigation.

Footage from the investigation shows senior adviser Dan Jukes and head of policy James Orr discussing the arrangement. Orr was heard describing the setup as “totally legit” and stating that leader Nigel Farage “doesn’t know, won’t know” about the specific structure. In another meeting, Jukes appeared to suggest the US-based father could channel a substantial donation through his son. At a Reform UK reception, Jukes was filmed introducing the undercover operative as a “key donor for off the book project” and described the polling as “clandestine” and “hugely important”.

Nigel Farage was also captured on camera in Clacton, where he appeared to celebrate the success of the poll. He described the result as “amazing” and provided “bang for buck,” adding: “It worked. Boom.” When the possible structure of the donation was explained to him, Farage was filmed thanking the fake donors.

Reform UK denied wrongdoing, characterising the investigation as a “hoax” perpetrated by “foreign-funded, climate change activists.” A party spokesperson claimed Verbatim was a new company incorporated in July 2026 to mask its true identity and noted that the group’s methods had previously been rebuked by members of the United States Congress for editing videos. Labour party chair Bridget Phillipson said the “scandal goes right to the top of Reform UK,” while Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey called on both the police and the Electoral Commission to investigate.

The controversy arises as the party faces new regulatory hurdles. The government has introduced a £100,000 annual cap on overseas funders, requiring donors to have been a UK resident for 12 months and be on the UK electoral register. New Electoral Commission figures show Reform UK received over £5m in donations in the second quarter of this year, outperforming both Labour and the Conservatives.

The party’s reliance on large overseas donors remains a point of contention. A recent £4m donation from crypto entrepreneur Ben Delo is currently under review, with party sources expressing confidence that he meets the residency test. Meanwhile, the £5m gift from Thailand-based billionaire Christopher Harborne to Farage personally is currently under investigation by the standards commissioner.