Reform UK faces police probe over foreign-funded polling

Reform UK is facing a police investigation over allegations it breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company. Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party called for detectives to investigate the claims. Nigel Farage's party took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year costing £32,500, Channel 4 News reported on Thursday night. The purported donors were actually undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son. Foreign companies are not allowed to provide funding for UK parties, including for payments for studies and research, under electoral law. The polls, by JL Partners, were covered in national newspapers but journalists were not told that they had been funded by foreign donors acting on behalf of Reform. A Met Police spokesman said: "We're aware of media reporting involving political party donations and an alleged breach of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 relating to polling. We will assess this matter and any information provided to us." The revelations come amid ongoing scrutiny of Mr Farage's funding, including a parliamentary investigation into a £5 million gift from a Thailand-based crypto-billionaire. Reform denies any wrongdoing.