Reform UK has cleared two of its senior officials of violating political funding laws that prohibit foreign donations, despite an ongoing police investigation into the matter. The party released a 27-page report following an internal inquiry conducted by its legal secretary and general secretary, which concluded that Dan Jukes, press adviser to Nigel Farage, and James Orr, head of policy, did not breach electoral funding regulations.

The investigation was prompted by undercover footage aired by Channel 4 News in early September, showing Jukes and Orr discussing a plan involving a US donor who purportedly financed three opinion polls favorable to Reform UK at a cost exceeding £30,000. Such foreign donations are banned under UK political finance laws. The footage also captured conversations about a potential £500,000 contribution routed through the donor’s UK-based son, a scenario later revealed to be a sting operation by undercover reporters posing as father and son.

Following the broadcast, police announced an expansion of an existing special inquiry related to Reform UK’s donations and confirmed they are investigating possible offences under electoral law. Meanwhile, Jukes and Orr remain suspended from their party roles pending the conclusion of the police inquiry.

The internal report acknowledged the inappropriate nature of Jukes and Orr’s discussions, describing them as “foolish” and “unwise,” but it ultimately found no evidence that the party itself commissioned the polling or directly received or accepted any payments from overseas. Since Jukes acted as a contractor rather than a party staff member, and the party did not arrange or pay for the polls, the payments to the company conducting the surveys were not deemed donations to Reform UK under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

Regarding the conversation about the £500,000 donation—an amount that was never transferred—the inquiry found no indication that either Jukes or Orr knowingly attempted to facilitate an impermissible foreign donation. The report stated that no agreements were made, no funds were received, and the party's formal procedures for verifying donors were never triggered.

The report also addressed a comment by Orr suggesting a potential lunch with Nigel Farage in exchange for a “non-trivial” donation, which it dismissed as unfortunate phrasing rather than an explicit offer or price. Similarly, another instance where Jukes mentioned other foreign donors allegedly providing funds through their children was characterized by Jukes as fabricated remarks intended to maintain the flow of conversation, with no basis in fact.

In response to the episode, which coincided with and overshadowed Reform UK’s conference, the party announced plans to introduce stricter rules requiring written notification to the party treasurer’s office for any proposed donations and mandating background checks before meetings with potential donors.

A Reform UK spokesperson said the internal investigation reviewed all relevant materials, including witness statements and electronic communications, and concluded without finding evidence of wrongdoing by the officials in question. The party has also indicated its intention to pursue legal action against Verbatim Investigations, the group responsible for the undercover footage.