Former UKIP Ally Embroiled in Russian Bribery Scandal
A former ally of Nigel Farage has publicly denied allegations of accepting illegal Russian payments after his name appeared in a series of incriminating WhatsApp messages. David Coburn, who previously led UKIP in Scotland and later joined the Brexit Party, was confronted by BBC journalists outside his home in rural France.
When asked directly if he had taken any illicit funds, Coburn gave a simple one-word answer: "No". The confrontation saw him stall his car while attempting to drive away from reporters seeking answers about his involvement in the growing political scandal.
WhatsApp Evidence Points to Suspicious Payments
The Crown Prosecution Service has released WhatsApp messages that contain repeated references to payments linked to an MEP identified only as "David" or "D". In one exchange from April 2019, pro-Russian Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn wrote to Nathan Gill: "I'm seeing D. in the morning. How much was for him".
Gill, who has since been sentenced to ten-and-a-half years in prison for bribery, responded: "6.5USD" - equivalent to approximately £5,000. Further messages from the same day discussed "other 2 for David you already have with you" in relation to additional payments.
Another message from July 2019 explicitly named Coburn, with Voloshyn writing: "Get Arne please and Coburn as well." At the time, both Gill and Coburn were serving as members of the Brexit Party under Nigel Farage's leadership.
Ongoing Investigation and Political Fallout
The CPS has stated that the April 2019 conversation concerned joining a meeting of the editorial board for pro-Russia TV channels 112 Ukraine and NewsOne. According to BBC reports, Coburn was the only David publicly named on this board at the time.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, confirmed that an ongoing investigation is examining whether Gill had accomplices. "We have spoken to some other people that are mentioned within that process," Murphy stated last week.
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage has faced mounting pressure to investigate potential Russian influence within his party but has repeatedly refused, citing his lack of investigative powers. Farage described the situation as "a very minor embarrassment for Reform" and suggested that MI5 should look into the matter.
Reform UK has distanced itself from Coburn, noting he was deselected for the 2019 European Election campaign and has had no subsequent involvement with the party. A spokesman emphasized that if any wrongdoing is proven, Coburn should "face the full force of the law".
