Former Reform UK Wales Leader Sentenced for Russian Bribery Scheme
Nathan Gill, the former Reform UK leader in Wales and one-time ally of Nigel Farage, has been sentenced to ten and a half years in prison after admitting to eight counts of accepting Russian bribes. The 52-year-old former MEP was caught after counter-terrorism police uncovered incriminating WhatsApp messages on his phone.
From Political Insider to Convicted Criminal
The Old Bailey heard how Gill accepted payments from Ukrainian tycoon Oleg Voloshyn in exchange for delivering scripted pro-Russian speeches and television comments. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told the court that Gill had accepted money in "exchange for the improper execution of your public duties" and had "advanced narratives advantageous to Russian interests concerning Ukraine."
Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC revealed that a "long sequence" of messages starting in September 2018 showed Gill agreeing to make introductions in the European Parliament and discussing "enlisting the support of several MEPs." The court heard that Voloshyn referred to the corrupt payments as "Xmas gifts."
Counter-Terrorism Investigation Uncovers Corruption
Gill's activities came to light after he was stopped at Manchester Airport on September 13, 2021 under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. The examination of his phone revealed the damning evidence that would lead to his conviction.
The judge noted that this period of corruption was "a prelude to the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022" and that Gill had specifically spoken up for Vladimir Putin ally Viktor Medvedchuk, who faced treason allegations in Ukraine.
In one particularly damning example, Gill received 5,000 euros for arranging for MEPs representing the North East, South West and North West of England to give interviews to news channel 112 Ukraine. The judge clarified that there was no evidence those individuals knew about Gill's financial arrangements.
Rapid Political Fall from Grace
Gill's political career spanned multiple right-wing parties over nearly a decade. He served as a Member of the European Parliament representing Wales between 2014 and 2020, representing both UKIP and the Brexit Party. He was also a Member of the Assembly for North Wales between 2016 and 2017.
His leadership of Reform UK Wales lasted less than two months in 2021 during Senedd election campaigns, and he has not been a member since that year. Previously, he led UKIP Wales between December 2014 and 2016.
Before his political career, Gill was a businessman who founded and managed Burgill Ltd in 2004 with his mother. The company provided domiciliary and home care services to Hull City Council before going into administration.
Farage Distances Himself From Former Ally
Nigel Farage has described his former colleague as a "bad apple" and expressed shock at the revelations. The Reform UK leader said: "Any political party can find in their midst all sorts of terrible people. Gill is particularly shocking because I knew him as a devout Christian, very clean-living, honest person."
Farage added: "I'm deeply shocked. But you know, that is a different time. I'm the only one in Reform that really knew him, going back a long way." The Clacton MP concluded that "You can never, ever guarantee 100% that everyone you meet in your life, you shake hands with in the pub, is a good person."
The case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign interference in British politics and the vulnerability of politicians to corruption from hostile state actors.
