Nigel Farage faced harsh criticism in the House of Commons regarding his colleague from the Reform party who confessed to accepting bribes from Russia. During a tense exchange on national security, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty expressed surprise at Farage’s complaints, considering that senior Reform member Nathan Gill had admitted to bribery charges linked to statements supporting Russia.
Gill, a 52-year-old former UKIP and Brexit Party MEP, who led Reform in Wales until 2021, is awaiting sentencing next month. Despite Gill’s acknowledgment of wrongdoing, he maintained a friendly relationship with Farage, frequently appearing alongside him in various capacities over the years.
In a parliamentary debate on the Chagos Islands, Farage criticized Mauritius, suggesting that the country might be influenced by Chinese investments due to financial struggles. He also raised concerns about Chinese tech company Huawei’s involvement in Mauritius, much to the dismay of US President Donald Trump, whom Farage considers a friend.
Doughty, a Labour minister, swiftly responded to Farage’s remarks by pointing out the irony of discussing national security, given Gill’s admission of taking Russian bribes and Farage’s alleged alignment with Kremlin narratives blaming NATO for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Gill’s political career includes stints as a UKIP and Brexit Party MEP, as well as leadership roles in UKIP Wales and Reform UK Wales. He pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from Oleg Voloshyn, a figure with ties to Russian security services, and used his platform to advocate for media outlets associated with Vladimir Putin’s ally, Viktor Medvedchuk.
Following the legal proceedings against Gill, law enforcement emphasized the importance of safeguarding democratic values and national security, noting the risks posed by individuals seeking to advance foreign interests through illicit means.
Farage, who had a longstanding acquaintance with Gill, expressed surprise at the revelations, stating that he was unaware of Gill’s pro-Russian activities.