Robert Jenrick’s handling of donations to his unsuccessful 2024 Conservative Party leadership campaign has come under renewed investigation following new claims that he and members of his senior campaign team were aware of an overseas donor’s involvement.
US businessman Gary Klopfenstein is alleged to have contributed £37,500 to Jenrick’s campaign in July 2024 through a UK-based company. Such donations are subject to UK electoral law, which prohibits foreign nationals from making political contributions. The Metropolitan Police opened an investigation in July after the Electoral Commission reported potential offenses beyond its remit.
Phillip Ullmann, a UK businessman suspected of acting as an intermediary for the funds, told reporters that he had informed Jenrick about Klopfenstein’s identity, describing him as “a wealthy American in the US who was willing to donate.” Ullmann further stated that two senior campaign figures—Danny Kruger, then campaign manager, and Sam Armstrong, then head of press—were already aware of Klopfenstein’s involvement. “No one ever said anything was wrong with accepting the money,” Ullmann added, while also acknowledging his own unfamiliarity with donation rules.
Legal representatives for Jenrick, who has since left the Conservative Party for Reform UK, have denied any wrongdoing. They state the former MP had no knowledge of Klopfenstein’s role and has “never met, spoken to, or had any contact” with him. Jenrick’s current party roles include Treasury spokesperson, while Kruger now serves as a Reform MP overseeing the party’s government preparations. Armstrong remains closely affiliated with Jenrick.
Details from individuals familiar with the matter suggest Kruger and Armstrong had prior interactions with Klopfenstein. In April 2023, Kruger participated in a virtual meeting involving Klopfenstein and Ullmann to discuss business models connected to a right-wing think tank Kruger co-founded. Armstrong also held a meeting with both men in October 2023. These encounters raise questions about their awareness of Klopfenstein’s involvement when the donations were later made.
Ullmann’s company, The Spott Fitness, contributed a total of £100,000 to Jenrick’s campaign in July and September 2024. Approximately £37,500 of this amount is alleged to have originated from Klopfenstein’s US firm Innovyz. Documents indicate that Ullmann proposed a “50/50” split on the donation with Klopfenstein, who agreed and transferred funds to The Spott in two payments.
Klopfenstein, an investor who pleaded guilty in 2024 to wire fraud charges unrelated to this matter in the United States, has declined to comment. Kruger and Jenrick also did not respond to requests for statements, while Armstrong declined to comment on Ullmann’s remarks. Ullmann said the Metropolitan Police had not yet contacted him in connection with the investigation. The Met has not publicly named any suspects at this stage.