The former leader of Reform UK - guilty of bribery charges relating to statements in favour of Russia
26/09/2025
The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has pleaded guilty to bribery charges related to statements in favour of Russia while serving as an elected member of the European Parliament.
He served as a UKIP and Brexit Party MEP between 2014 and 2020, and was leader of UKIP Wales between 2014 and 2016, and then leader of Reform UK Wales between March and May 2021.
Gill, 52, from Llangefni on Anglesey, admitted eight counts of bribery between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019, but denied one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.
The court was told Gill:
- Was tasked by Ukrainian Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money.
- Conspired with Voloshyn and "others" between 1 January 2018 and 1 February 2020, and that he accepted "quantities of money in cash" which was "improper performance by him of his function or activity as the holder" of a position in the European Parliament.
Defence barrister Peter Wright KC acknowledged:
- Gill was facing a substantial jail sentence, but asked for bail for the married father-of-five before his next hearing.
Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb granted conditional bail as she set a sentencing hearing at the Old Bailey on November 21.
The senior judge said:
- “This is a serious matter. Nathan Gill has admitted having asked questions, made statements and carried out other activities in or connected with the European Parliament in support of pro-Russian parties in the Ukraine conflict.”
It was alleged he made statements in the European Parliament which were "supportive of a particular narrative" which would "benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine".
As an elected member of the European Parliament for the constituency of Wales in the UK, he:
- "Agreed to receive financial advantage, namely money", which constituted "the improper performance" as the holder of an elected office.
- He also made these statements in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood said the guilty pleas were "satisfactory" because they reflected the bribery charges, which in turn reflected the criminal activities.
They emerged after Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on 13 September 2021, under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.
Gill led Reform UK's 2021 Senedd election campaign but is no longer a member of the party.
Source
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6xwy015ngo
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