Reform UK MP Robert Jenrick is facing a potential police probe over claims he received donations worth tens of thousands of pounds that broke UK elections law. The Electoral Commission has sent information to the Metropolitan Police about the former Tory minister and donations he received when he ran to be leader of that party.
Electoral Commission Referral
The elections watchdog is reported by the Guardian to have been examining almost £40,000 in donations received by Mr Jenrick from a UK company called The Spott Fitness, amid claims the ultimate source was US businessman Gary Klopfenstein. In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: 'On Tuesday, 6 January we received a referral from the Electoral Commission concerning donations connected to a leadership campaign. This referral is under review and until it has been completed, we're not in a position to comment further.' MPs are barred from receiving donations from foreign firms or individuals.
Jenrick's Response
The team of Mr Jenrick, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform earlier this year, and is now their Treasury spokesman, told the Guardian he had complied with electoral law. His spokesman accused the Conservatives of spreading 'an untrue, politically motivated smear' about donations it had also checked were admissible at the time in the second half of 2024. Mr Jenrick's former party said today it had referred him to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
Donor's Account
Phillip Ullman, a UK businessman whose family owns Spott Fitness, has previously said he was the source of the donations. The Guardian reported that he told the Electoral Commission £37,500 came from Mr Klopfenstein, with whom he is in a legal dispute, via Innovyz USA. A spokesman for Mr Ullman told the paper: 'Mr Ullmann voluntarily disclosed additional information to the Electoral Commission … He has continued to engage proactively with their subsequent investigation ever since. He has fully responded to all the questions they have asked of him to date and stands ready to support the authorities in any way he can.'
Commission Statement
An Electoral Commission spokeswoman said: 'We have been investigating donations connected to a 2024 leadership campaign. Evidence of potential offences outside our remit was referred to the Metropolitan Police Service on January 6 2026. Our investigation is paused pending their assessment.'
