A former leader of Reform UK in Wales and a previous close associate of Nigel Farage has been sentenced to prison for accepting bribes from Russia while serving in the European Parliament.
Nathan Gill, 52, confessed to eight counts of bribery, receiving payments in exchange for delivering prepared speeches and promoting a pro-Russian agenda on television during his time as an MEP. The disgraced former UKIP and Brexit Party politician received money from Oleg Voloshyn, identified by the US government as a proxy of the Russian security services, according to the Old Bailey trial.
Counter terrorism officials uncovered incriminating WhatsApp messages exchanged between Gill and Voloshyn, exposing their illicit transactions after Gill was detained at Manchester Airport in 2021. Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb, the presiding judge, sentenced him to 10-and-a-half years in prison, condemning his actions as a “serious betrayal” of his constituents.
The court learned that Gill agreed to introduce Voloshyn in the European Parliament and discussed enlisting the support of several MEPs in exchange for financial rewards. The prosecutor highlighted that Voloshyn referred to the payments as “Xmas gifts” in their messages, indicating a clear intent to influence Gill’s actions.
Gill, who served as a UKIP and Brexit Party MEP from 2014 to 2020, faced criticism from Reform UK for his misconduct, with party leaders denouncing his actions as treacherous. Following the sentencing, Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasized the severity of Gill’s betrayal, stating that such actions undermine national security and will be met with legal consequences.
In response to the scandal, calls were made for a thorough investigation into Russian interference in British politics, with demands for a crackdown on foreign influence. The court proceedings revealed the depth of Gill’s involvement in advancing Russian interests, prompting concerns about the integrity of democratic processes and national security.