Former leader of Reform UK in Wales pleads guilty to bribery

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has pleaded guilty to bribery charges relating to statements in favour of Russia in the European parliament.

- Jamie Grierson Rowena Mason

Nathan Gill, of Anglesey, north Wales, admitted eight counts of bribery between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019.

The charges stated that as an elected member of the European parliament, he “agreed to receive financial advantage, namely money”, which constituted “improper performance”.

It has been alleged that he made statements in the European parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine, which were “supportive of a particular narrative” that would “benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine”.

He was tasked by the pro-Kremlin Ukrainian Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money, the court was told.

Gill's admissions are a blow for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which has not yet commented on the case. During the time of the bribes, Gill joined the Brexit party, which was led by Farage at the time. Gill went on to be leader of Reform UK in Wales from March to May 2021 before resigning from the party in the months leading up to his arrest in the September of that year.