Last week, Reform UK’s former leader in Wales was sentenced at the Old Bailey to over 10 years in prison for taking pro-Russian bribes, and I have written in the Daily Mirror to highlight my concerns.
Nathan Gill – a long-time ally of Nigel Farage through UKIP, the Brexit Party, and Reform UK, and Farage’s choice for Wales’ next First Minister – betrayed Britain by accepting payments to push Kremlin propaganda. Few acts could be more unpatriotic. Sent to Parliament to defend British interests, he instead sold out our country to a brutal, authoritarian regime.
This shocking case is just the latest example of Russia’s attempts to undermine our national security. Only this week, the Defence Secretary revealed that a Russian spy ship near UK waters had been using lasers to target British forces monitoring its activity. We must have no illusions about the threat Putin’s Russia poses – both at home and abroad.
Before entering government and since, Labour has been clear: our first priority is keeping Britain and our people safe. As a Defence Minister representing a proud naval city – and coming from a naval family – I have seen first-hand the extraordinary lengths our Armed Forces go to defend our values. They are the very best of us, committed to protecting our country and our democracy.
To see their bravery and our national security betrayed by a senior figure in Reform UK is a stark reminder of the dark cloud that party tries to hide.
Nigel Farage has tried to dismiss this scandal as one “bad apple.” He claims to be “shocked” that such a senior figure in his party was taking cash from Kremlin-linked sources. But if he truly had no idea, how can we trust his assurances that “there’s nobody else”? He’s proved he can’t spot corruption – so why won’t he let someone else check? His failure to act raises serious questions about what he might be trying to hide.
And this isn’t an isolated incident. Reform MPs have been absent from key debates on Russia and Ukraine. Meanwhile, concerns about Farage’s own pro-Russian leanings keep stacking up. In 2014, he called Putin the world leader he admired most, describing him as “brilliant.” As an MEP, he aligned with hard-right parties that voted against motions condemning Russia. During the 2024 election campaign, he echoed Kremlin talking points, claiming NATO and the EU “provoked” Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
I’m proud to be part of a Labour Party that understands the importance of national security and works every day to defend it. In this era of growing international tension, keeping Britain safe must be at the heart of anyone seeking office. Our commitment to NATO and steadfast support for Ukraine are central principles of this government. We will never allow illicit actors to undermine that commitment.
Defence Minister and former Royal Marine Al Carns has also called on Nigel Farage to “leave no stone unturned” in reviewing “every inch” of Reform UK’s party structures, membership, party donors, and representatives, to ensure any remaining pro-Russian links are rooted out.
Al Carns MP, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, calling on Nigel Farage to initiate an independent investigation, said:
“As a Royal Marine for 24 years, I know there is nothing less patriotic than betraying Britain in support of a foreign power. This case should send shockwaves right to the top of Reform UK. Just days after our Labour Government exposed a Russian spy ship operating in UK waters, Nigel Farage’s former Welsh enforcer has exposed Reform’s close links to Putin.
“With Labour, Britain’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable and we must never allow illicit actors to undermine our national security. Nigel Farage must urgently initiate an independent investigation into every inch of Reform UK’s party structures, membership, donors, and representatives, to give the public a cast iron guarantee that any remaining pro-Russian links have been removed from his Party. He must leave no stone unturned in this investigation.
“No patriotic British political party should allow pro-Russian elements to covertly have an influence on our political system or society. It’s as anti-British as you can get. It’s time Nigel Farage proved he isn’t happy to parrot Kremlin talking points any longer and demonstrate to the public that Putin has no hold over his party.”
Our democracy must never be for sale. You can read my piece in the Daily Mirror here: Pressure mounts on Nigel Farage to launch probe into Russian influence on Reform – The Mirror