Police are assessing evidence about donations to Robert Jenrick’s 2024 Conservative leadership campaign after a referral from the Electoral Commission, the Guardian can reveal. The information concerns allegations that almost £40,000 of donations were from a foreign source, breaching electoral rules.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed they received a referral from the Electoral Commission on Tuesday, 6 January. The referral is under review, and the police have not commented further. The Electoral Commission has paused its own investigation while the police assess the material.
The allegations centre on donations from The Spott Fitness, a UK-based company. It is understood that £37,500 of the £100,000 donated by the company was ultimately provided by US businessman Gary Klopfenstein via his US firm Innovyz USA. Foreign individuals and companies are prohibited from donating to UK political campaigns.
A spokesperson for Jenrick denied any wrongdoing, stating that he and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws. The spokesperson said Jenrick had never met or had any contact with Klopfenstein and was unaware of any connection until contacted by the Electoral Commission. The spokesperson called the allegations a politically motivated smear.
Jenrick, now a Reform UK MP and Nigel Farage’s Treasury spokesperson, defected from the Conservatives after the leadership contest. The Conservative Party has referred him to the parliamentary commissioner for standards over the matter.
