A broad coalition of parties and bodies is responding to alleged illicit donations, with Liberal Democrats demanding police and Electoral Commission investigations, Labour signaling intent to report the matter, Greens calling for a probe, the Metropolitan Police saying it will assess the reports, and the Electoral Commission emphasizing reporting rules for donations.

Key figures involved include Nigel Farage and his adviser James Orr, along with Christopher Harborne, a crypto-billionaire donor under investigation for a potential 5 million gift; investigative outlets Channel 4 News and Verbatim are sources behind the disclosures.

The Liberal Democrats allege the donation came from an impermissible donor and suggest a broader failure to enforce donation controls, potentially breaching the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (section 61).

Reform UK denies any wrongdoing, calling the matter a hoax by foreign-funded climate activism groups and insisting their donor vetting is robust and approved by the Electoral Commission, with claims that no money actually reached the party.

Reform UK and senior adviser James Orr maintain the funding was a hoax, assert polls were arranged by an independent party and publicly released, and deny any illicit activity.

Reform UK reiterates that money did not reach the party and frames the situation as a hoax by foreign-funded activists, while asserting the polls were legitimate and publicly arranged.

Polls place Reform UK around 23% support, roughly 10 points lower than the previous year, with Labour leading in many surveys and the timing aligning with Farage’s Birmingham conference and return speech.

UK law prohibits foreign donations to political parties and funding for research or polls, with potential Criminal offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act.

Foreign entities are banned sources of political donations in the UK, and routing funds through third parties to evade reporting could constitute a crime under the same act.

Lisa Smart, Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokeswoman, describes the case as a potential serious breach of electoral law concerning acceptance and concealment of an impermissible donation, hinting at broader tolerance of foreign interference.

Channel 4 News, with Verbatim, reported that three polls costing 32,500 were funded by a US-based entity posing as an American donor and his UK-based son, triggering a police report over alleged breach of donation rules.

Verbatim and Channel 4 News investigated donors’ representations, raising questions about the legitimacy and source of funding for the polls.