Zia Yusuf, the party’s head of policy, stated that Nathan Gill’s actions were «treasonous,» but emphasized that people should not tarnish the reputation of everyone else at Reform UK. Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, was recently sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison for accepting cash to make pro-Russian statements. During an interview on Sky News’s Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, Mr. Yusuf refuted claims that the party was soft on President Vladimir Putin, calling such accusations unreasonable.
Gill, who previously led the Welsh branch of UKIP and later joined Reform UK, was described by Mr. Yusuf as a traitor who deserved the punishment he received. Despite Gill’s actions, Mr. Yusuf made it clear that Reform UK and its supporters should not be associated with his misconduct.
The incident involving Gill prompted Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to call for an investigation into Reform UK’s connections to Russia. However, Mr. Farage’s stance on Russia has been questioned in the past, with accusations of him parroting Kremlin talking points. In response, Mr. Yusuf defended Mr. Farage’s position, stating that the party does not support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and that the notion of Putin being influenced by Farage’s statements is unfounded.
Labor Party chair Anna Turley accused Reform UK of pandering to Moscow and demanded an independent investigation into any pro-Russia links within the party. Despite these accusations, police confirmed that Mr. Farage was not involved in the investigation into Gill.
Mr. Farage himself welcomed an investigation into Russian and Chinese influence in British politics. He distanced himself from Gill’s actions, labeling him a «bad apple» and expressing shock at his guilty plea. Mr. Farage emphasized the difficulty of guaranteeing the character of every individual in a political party, acknowledging that not everyone may have honorable intentions. Pic: PA» data-testid=»article-image-image»/>
Image: Former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill. Pic: PA
Following an investigation by counter-terrorism police, officers said they believe Gill likely took a minimum of £40,000 in cash.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer demanded an investigation into links between Reform UK and Russia following the case.
Mr Farage’s position on Russia has come under scrutiny in the past. He faced a backlash during the general election campaign when he spoke about the incursion of NATO and how «we provoked this war» in Ukraine.
Read more: Starmer demands investigation into Reform-Russia links
Speaking to Trevor Phillips, Mr Yusuf insisted his boss has never supported or been sympathetic to Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, saying it is «not Nigel’s position that ‘we provoked the war’.»
He said: «When he [Farage] was pressed as to how he would respond if he was prime minister and Russian jets encroached into NATO airspace, his view was that those planes should be shot down. We are crystal clear about our position.
«I would also say this: the notion that Vladimir Putin, the murderous dictator, is making decisions based on what Nigel Farage is saying here in England, I think is for the birds.
«We are now in a situation where Ukraine’s sovereignty has been violated, and Vladimir Putin needs to be brought to heel.»
But Labour accused Reform of «pandering to Moscow» following the interview.
Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, said Mr Farage has previously called Mr Putin «the leader he most admired and has repeatedly parroted Kremlin talking points».
She added: «Reform must urgently allow an independent investigation to root out pro-Russia links, to assure the public that Putin holds no sway over their party or its representatives.»
Read more from Sky News: Reeves vows to ‘grip the cost of living’ PM ‘playing whack-a-mole’ to keep US on side
Police have confirmed Mr Farage has not been part of the investigation into Gill.
Mr Farage said on Friday: «An investigation into Russian and Chinese influence over British politics would be welcome.»
The Reform UK MP for Clacton had previously described his former colleague as a «bad apple» and said he was «shocked» after Gill pleaded guilty to bribery.
He said: «Any political party can find in their midst all sorts of terrible people.
«You can never, ever guarantee 100% that everyone you meet in your life, you shake hands with in the pub, is a good person.»
Image: Former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill. Pic: PA
Following an investigation by counter-terrorism police, officers said they believe Gill likely took a minimum of £40,000 in cash.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer demanded an investigation into links between Reform UK and Russia following the case.
Mr Farage’s position on Russia has come under scrutiny in the past. He faced a backlash during the general election campaign when he spoke about the incursion of NATO and how «we provoked this war» in Ukraine.
Read more: Starmer demands investigation into Reform-Russia links
Speaking to Trevor Phillips, Mr Yusuf insisted his boss has never supported or been sympathetic to Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine, saying it is «not Nigel’s position that ‘we provoked the war’.»
He said: «When he [Farage] was pressed as to how he would respond if he was prime minister and Russian jets encroached into NATO airspace, his view was that those planes should be shot down. We are crystal clear about our position.
«I would also say this: the notion that Vladimir Putin, the murderous dictator, is making decisions based on what Nigel Farage is saying here in England, I think is for the birds.
«We are now in a situation where Ukraine’s sovereignty has been violated, and Vladimir Putin needs to be brought to heel.»
But Labour accused Reform of «pandering to Moscow» following the interview.
Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, said Mr Farage has previously called Mr Putin «the leader he most admired and has repeatedly parroted Kremlin talking points».
She added: «Reform must urgently allow an independent investigation to root out pro-Russia links, to assure the public that Putin holds no sway over their party or its representatives.»
Read more from Sky News: Reeves vows to ‘grip the cost of living’ PM ‘playing whack-a-mole’ to keep US on side
Police have confirmed Mr Farage has not been part of the investigation into Gill.
Mr Farage said on Friday: «An investigation into Russian and Chinese influence over British politics would be welcome.»
The Reform UK MP for Clacton had previously described his former colleague as a «bad apple» and said he was «shocked» after Gill pleaded guilty to bribery.
He said: «Any political party can find in their midst all sorts of terrible people.
«You can never, ever guarantee 100% that everyone you meet in your life, you shake hands with in the pub, is a good person.»
Soy Ismael Buendía, director de Comunicación con más de 20 años de experiencia en reputación corporativa, gestión de crisis y estrategia digital. He liderado equipos en multinacionales y agencias, asesorado a directivos y diseñado estrategias de alto impacto. Me motiva la transparencia, la innovación y la comunicación como ventaja competitiva.
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