Reform UK reported to police over illegal donations as Farage opens conference

Reform UK has been reported to the Metropolitan Police and the Electoral Commission over alleged illegal donations, following an undercover sting broadcast by Channel 4 News just before the party's annual conference. The complaint, raised by Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart, alleges the acceptance and concealment of a donation from an impermissible foreign donor. Undercover reporters posed as a wealthy American backer and his son, capturing Reform members discussing such donations, which are illegal under UK law. Labour has also said it will report the matter, while Reform denies wrongdoing, calling it a hoax and launching an internal investigation. The allegations come as Nigel Farage opens the party's conference in Birmingham, seeking to reassert authority after a difficult summer. He faces a separate parliamentary standards investigation over a £5 million donation from crypto entrepreneur Christopher Harborne, while deputy leader Richard Tice faces questions over undeclared gifts.