Two senior Reform UK advisors have resigned following an undercover investigation into the party’s financing. Dan Jukes, Farage’s long-term media chief, and James Orr, his senior policy adviser, both departed their roles. These resignations rocked the start of the main Reform UK conference in Birmingham on Friday.
The departures stem from an internal party investigation. This probe was launched after Channel 4 broadcast footage. The material reportedly showed Jukes and Orr agreeing to accept donations from a foreign benefactor via a UK intermediary. Experts suggest this practice, particularly if efforts were made to conceal the money’s origin, could violate UK electoral law.
Meanwhile, Labour Party Chair Bridget Phillipson reported the matter to the Metropolitan Police on Friday. However, the force has not yet initiated an investigation. A Reform UK spokesperson confirmed the internal investigation. They stated both individuals involved have stepped down pending its outcome. The party stressed the importance of an independent and unbiased inquiry, offering no further comment during this period.
The resignations mark a significant change in the party’s stance. Initially, on Thursday night, Reform UK attacked the Channel 4 sting. They claimed Jukes, Orr, and Farage were “the target of a hoax perpetuated by foreign-funded, climate change activists.” The party had then denied any wrongdoing.
The footage, gathered by Verbatim, an undercover reporting outfit, also featured Nigel Farage. It showed him meeting individuals posing as a wealthy US backer and his son. Farage thanked them for their support. British electoral law, however, does not permit donations from US citizens.
Channel 4 News also claimed the two men had already funded £32,500 worth of polling for Reform. These findings subsequently appeared in national newspapers without any declaration of the party’s involvement. This ‘benefit in kind’ was not reported to the Electoral Commission, the electoral watchdog.
Labour quickly seized on the Channel 4 report. Education Secretary Lucy Powell emphasized the importance of strict electoral rules. She suggested Reform believes these rules do not apply to them. By contrast, Reform’s chairman, Lee Anderson, asserted that Farage himself has no further questions to answer. He conceded the controversy was a “distraction” for the conference. Anderson stated, “The two people involved, they have gone.”
The loss of Dan Jukes and James Orr represents a major setback for Farage. Orr, a British ally of US Vice-President JD Vance, had only recently become head of policy. Jukes served as a long-term media aide to Farage, dating back to his time leading the UK Independent Party. This incident strikes a blow to Reform UK’s efforts towards professionalization.
