Reform Party Chair: Suspended Officials Will Not Return Amid Donations Probe – UK Politics Update

Two aides suspended over donations allegations have 'no chance of coming back', says Reform UK's chair Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson, the Reform UK chief whip and party chair, has said that James Orr and Dan Jukes, the two aides primarily involved in the alleged plot exposed by an undercover investigation to evade electoral law, were suspended and will not return.

In an interview on Sky News this morning, Anderson said: "Orr and Jukes were told they had to step down. They have stepped down. And that's got to be the right thing to do."

Presenter Kamali Melbourne asked Anderson whether Orr, head of policy at the party, and Jukes, a key aide to Nigel Farage, both important figures, could "come back." Anderson replied: "No, there's no chance of them coming back. They've stepped aside."

He added: "We're a serious party, you know, and sometimes in politics, you have to make tough decisions, harsh decisions. I think this probably was an easier decision, being given the option to stand down. They have gone. Like I said, they've left the building and our focus now is on the conference today."

Farage says Reform UK has 'broken no laws' and not taken any 'dodgy money' in response to undercover investigation

Nigel Farage has spoken about the undercover donations investigation, stating the party has "broken no laws" and has not "taken any dodgy money."

Anderson says Farage won't quit over undercover report into donations, and 'country needs him'

On Times Radio, Anderson insisted there was no chance of Nigel Farage resigning over the donations investigation. He said: "I don't think Nigel has got any questions on this. The two people involved, they have gone. They have left the building. I keep saying this time and time again. They have gone. That is the right thing to do. They are not coming back and Nigel is going nowhere... Nigel is an honest man. I have known him for many years now. The party has done the right thing by launching this investigation. Nigel will be on the main stage later on explaining our first 100 days in government. He is not going anywhere. The country needs him."

While Orr and Jukes are the main focus of the investigation, the Channel 4 News footage suggests Farage himself had some knowledge of a proposal for a US-based supporter to donate £500,000 to the party by channelling it through his UK-based son. Foreigners are not allowed to donate to UK political parties, and donating via proxies is also banned. Farage attended an oyster bar lunch where he thought he was meeting the father and son, but the "son" was an undercover reporter and the "father" an actor. After discussing how the money might be given via the son, Farage said: "Thank you both."

Farage personally has 'serious questions to answer' over alleged Reform UK plot to evade electoral law, Ed Davey says

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said Farage was ultimately responsible for the apparent attempt to evade electoral law. On social media, he wrote: "So much for this being a 'hoax' then. Clearly very serious questions for Farage to answer given his role in the meeting. The buck stops with him."

Davey referenced Reform UK's initial response calling it a "hoax perpetuated by foreign-funded, climate change activists posing as would-be party donors."

Labour asks Met police to launch criminal inquiry into Reform UK donations, as two party aides involved step down

Nigel Farage is speaking on the main day of his party's conference in Birmingham. After a large lead over other parties in opinion polls for over a year, Reform UK and Labour are now essentially tied. Farage has faced scrutiny over his failure to declare a £5m donation. Last night, Channel 4 News broadcast findings of an undercover investigation showing leading Reform UK figures allegedly plotting to evade UK law on electoral donations.

Reform UK confirmed two senior officials implicated are stepping down pending investigation. A spokesperson said: "Reform UK has launched an investigation following the broadcast of a Channel 4 News programme. Both individuals involved have stepped down from their respective positions pending the outcome of the investigation. The party believes it is important that the investigation is allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice. No further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing."

Labour has written to the Metropolitan police calling for a criminal investigation. In her letter to Met commissioner Mark Rowley, Labour party chair Bridget Phillipson cited potential offences under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Conference agenda includes tributes to Ann Widdecombe at 11.05am, followed by speeches from Lee Anderson, Dan Thomas, Zia Yusuf, Jordon Bardella, Matt Goodwin, Sarah Pochin, Richard Tice, and Nigel Farage at 3.50pm. Farage and Bardella hold a press conference at 1pm.