Nigel Farage: Eternal Victim, Constant Culprit in Reform's Donations Scandal

By now, I’m sure we’re all aware of how Reform UK handles scandals. 

“It’s a stitch-up!” “The establishment’s coordinated against me!” “I’ve done no wrong!” The epitaph of evasion is one that has adorned many a politician, though particular pleasure can be derived from ensnaring one such politician in an ignominy of their own creation. 

I refer to the Channel 4 & Verbatim sting operation into Reform UK, wherein Verbatim journalists posed as foreign would-be donors to the party, and James Orr, the party’s Head of Policy, allegedly aided the undercover journalist in funding party-commissioned polls using £32,500 of American donor money – to keep the advantageous and illegal donation off-the-books. Orr even called a donation “a huge part of our campaign…[that] gave us massive momentum and public credibility”. Orr made it clear: the goal was “arm’s-length” political influence in Reform’s favour whilst still getting polls published that would aid the party’s chances in elections.  

What makes this particularly damning is the media’s treatment of these polls: The Telegraph published twice regarding the polls, and The Times once – neither of which mentioned Reform UK’s role in commissioning them. In fact, The Telegraph claimed ownership in a since-deleted article, publishing that: "The poll by JL Partners, carried out for this newspaper, looked at 25 of the council areas where elections are set to be postponed." 

This laundered of Reform UK’s actions to the public, allowing the distance to suggest a lack of association to the public, further compounding the illicit cover-up. The most condemning part of this comes from James Johnson, JL Partners’ poll-runner within the Channel 4 video, who claimed that “No-one has ever asked [if they can claim polling as their own], but they always do it anyway.” JL Partners never confirmed who commissioned or funded the polling. 

Not to mention, the King’s Counsel Gavin Millar’s testimony confirms the illegality of these actions, highlighting the naming of a fee, as well as confirming the necessity of the poll for Reform’s purposes. Legally, it was a donation. 

But how will Reform UK respond? 

Farage is no stranger to these scandals, and has a well-rehearsed routine. In fact, it took him less than 24 hours to declare that  “no illegal transaction occurred” and claim ‘entrapment,’ despite accepting resignations from James Orr and Dan Jukes. It suggests he does understand the culpability of their actions. Not only that, but Jukes divulges that this sort of behaviour is common, given his cavalier description of it as an “off-the-book…um…project”. 

Farage insists nothing illegal occurred when foreign donations were accepted by party members – which is an impermissible donation, per the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 Section 54, and failure to refuse such a donation is a violation of Section 56. He instead suggests that the poll was not commissioned by Reform – something which is false according to Jukes and Orr’s own words within the documentary – even with suggestions it’s been done before, as too affirmed by the practice of commissioning polling first then asking for funding afterwards. 

Farage is particularly caught in a bind with this documentary due to Orr’s admission that “I think I’ve told him that – he might not remember, but it's fine for you to talk to him about it”, and his own attendance at a meeting to discuss how the American funding would be laundered to aid the party. Nigel likely knew about the scandal, too – perhaps ignorant of the law; however, he is still implicated deeply. 

Reform would not be the first party to have dodgy donors, of course. This is why the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 was created – to legislate against illicit behaviour and to allow the British public clarity in their parties’ interests. What makes Reform unique is that, as a major party with so much funding, it should be hiring advisors and solicitors to oversee donations and ensure legality.  

But Reform’s scandals don’t hit the party as hard. Take into consideration the allegations of financial crime or endorsed domestic abuse from their number, and it barely harmed their rise in the polls, in fact, what mostly seems to have hurt them has been Farage’s own corruption and Labour’s electability increasing, suggesting more of a cult-of-personality and disillusioned centrist voters. No other party could have survived this level of scandal so unscathed, maintaining employment for those culpable – even Matt Hancock was forced out for having an affair. Reform has grown used to the standard rules not applying, it seems. Farage’s almost immediately committed a  rule violation upon returning to Parliament on Tuesday – filming on Westminster’s roof without permission. Are we to recognise Reform as a party that is governed by an almost American sense of exceptionalism? 

Farage elucidates that he believes that the consequences of these scandals are merely witch-hunts (in a very Trumpian sense.) However, due to the disproportionality of Reform’s platforming on the news in the past, that is to be expected. Farage is playing victim to the same circumstances he previously profited from; however, he is clearly used to a lot more leniency than what he is receiving. Perhaps the honeymoon period for Reform is over, and we can expect the same consequences as every other party.   

To be honest, I am curious if Farage can dodge this one. The evidence is insurmountable, and it comes during a separate investigation into dodgy donors. He already has his fall guys, but he is clearly implicated in the film as complicit in the donations. However, as Reform is a private company, and Farage is one of the majority shareholders of the company that owns Reform, it would be difficult, nigh impossible, to remove him from leadership. There is no mechanism for it, unlike every other party in the UK. Farage might be here to stay – but will Reform remain a major party? Perhaps those who jumped from the Conservatives to Reform might have to find a new party… Rework, perhaps?

Image: Wikimedia Commons/Owain.davies

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