In a contentious exchange in the Commons, Nigel Farage faced criticism regarding his association with a former ally from Reform who confessed to accepting bribes from Russia. Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty expressed astonishment at Farage’s audacity to complain given the admission of bribery by Reform UK figure Nathan Gill in support of Russia.
The disgraced 52-year-old ex-UKIP and Brexit Party MEP, formerly the leader of Reform in Wales until 2021, is awaiting sentencing next month. Gill, who described Farage as a “friend and colleague,” has been frequently seen alongside him. During a debate on the Chagos Islands, Farage raised concerns about Mauritius’s economic situation and Chinese influence, suggesting implications for US-China relations.
In response, Labour minister Doughty rebuked Farage for discussing national security issues while Gill, the former leader of his party in Wales, admitted to taking Russian bribes and promoting Kremlin-aligned narratives about NATO and Russia’s actions. Gill, previously a UKIP and Brexit Party MEP, led Reform UK Wales briefly in 2021 and spearheaded the party’s election campaign.
Gill, from Llangefni, Anglesey, pleaded guilty to eight bribery charges involving Oleg Voloshyn, known to have ties to Russian security services, for making speeches favoring Russian interests. He defended pro-Russian TV channels and personalities, including Viktor Medvedchuk, in European Parliament and TV appearances, receiving bribes for facilitating MEP interactions with 112 Ukraine.
Following the legal proceedings, Commander Dominic Murphy of the Met’s counter-terrorism command emphasized the serious nature of Gill’s actions in advancing narratives beneficial to Russian interests. Farage, previously unaware of Gill’s pro-Russian activities, expressed surprise at the revelations.