UK Reform Party embroiled in political donations scandal, two senior aides suspended under investigation

China News Service, London, September 4 (Reporter Ouyang Kaiyu) On September 4, local time, the British Reform Party was deeply involved in a political donation scandal at the opening of the annual party congress. Influenced by an undercover investigation by British Channel 4 television station that revealed clues about irregularities, two senior aides to party leader Farage announced their suspension, pending the results of an internal party investigation.

In this undercover investigation, the reporter disguised himself as a wealthy American businessman with British connections and spent a year getting in touch with senior members of the Reform Party. Undercover footage confirmed that two senior officials of the party had negotiated to use American companies to fund tens of thousands of pounds in polling fees. They were suspected of using overseas funds to carry out political party activities, violating the British election law that prohibits overseas political donations.

After the incident, the British Reform Party quickly denied breaking the law and argued that it had been framed. At the same time, it announced the launch of an internal investigation. The involved policy director Orr and Farage's core assistant Jewkes were suspended from performing their duties. Farage publicly defended himself, saying the party had not received any illegal funds.

The British ruling party Labor Party has written to the London police, reporting multiple potential illegal circumstances in the incident, including plans to transfer large amounts of overseas donations through British intermediaries, suspected similar operations in the past, and requesting the police to file a case for investigation.

At present, the British election supervision agency has intervened to analyze relevant clues and maintain communication with the police. The police stated that they will sort out and verify all materials and have not formally filed a case yet.

The scandal cast a shadow over the Reform Party's congress and also dampened the party's poll momentum. Public opinion believes that successive disputes over donations will affect voters' trust in the party's ability to govern. (over)