Former Reform UK leader jailed over Russian bribes

Local TV

Former leader of Reform UK in Wales Nathan Gill has been sentenced to more than 10 years in jail over Russian bribes. He was paid to spout pro-Russian sentiment in the European Parliament and spoke about getting other politicians involved.

Transcript

00:00The former leader of ReformUK in Wales, Nathan Gill, has been sentenced to a ten-and-a-half-year prison sentence

00:06after admitting he was paid to promote pro-Russian messages while serving as an MEP.

00:11Gill, who represented Wales in the European Parliament, received around £40,000 between 2018 and 2019

00:16in exchange for statements supporting Russian interests, including comments about events in Ukraine.

00:22He pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery.

00:25At sentencing in London, the judge said Gill had allowed money to corrupt his moral compass,

00:29calling his actions a grave portrayal of the trust placed in him by voters.

00:33The court said parliamentarians carry significant influence, and when they take payment to say what others want,

00:39they are no longer speaking honestly or independently.

00:41The bribery scheme was linked to figures close to Vladimir Putin, including Ukrainian politician Viktor Medvedchuk.

00:49Investigators uncovered WhatsApp messages between Gill and an associate arranging payments

00:53and praising scripted speeches Gill delivered in Parliament.

00:56Prosecutors said he even discussed encouraging other MEPs to do the same.

01:01Gill was arrested in 2021 after being stopped at Manchester Airport while attempting to travel to Russia.

01:06The key figure behind the operation is now believed to be living in Russia and is wanted by authorities.

01:12The case has prompted strong political reaction.

01:14The UK government described Gill's behaviour as a betrayal of national security,

01:18while ReformUK called his actions treasonous and said they fully supported the sentence.

01:23Opposition parties have renewed calls for deeper investigations into foreign influence in British politics.

01:29Gill led ReformUK's Senate election campaign in 2021, but is no longer a member of the party.

01:34He remains in custody, with the judge saying his misconduct has damaged not only his own reputation,

01:39but wider public confidence in democracy.

01:42J.P. Watkins, reporting for Local TV.

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