Sky News erupted live on air as Robert Jenrick clashed with broadcaster Jon Sopel over Reform UK's recent donation scandal. The tense exchange came after a Channel 4 News report showed senior party figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources. Accepting donations from a foreign company, including in-kind donations such as polling, could constitute a criminal offence. The party has now been reported to the police as tensions climb in the House of Commons.
Presenter's link to Peter Mandelson raised
On Sunday (September 6), Jon Sopel welcomed Robert Jenrick onto the show to quiz him about "lessons to learn" over the donation claims. It didn't take long before the party's economic spokesman took aim at the presenter's link to Peter Mandelson live on the show.
Jenrick began: "This is a narrative that people like yourself, with all due respect, in the media want to propagate. You don't seem to be saying this about other parties; we've got a cabinet with an actual, convicted fraudster in it, Louise Haigh. Keir Starmer's anti-corruption minister is being investigated for corruption in her great-auntie's home country."
"I mean, your best made Peter Mandelson was mired in horrendous sleaze," the politician fumed.
Broadcaster hits back
It was at this point that the broadcaster called out the uproar Mandelson's scandal caused in the UK. He chuckled: "Yeah, and those things were never talked about. We buried those subjects."
In an attempt to get another dig in at the presenter, Jenrick went on: "Oh, right, well, we won't talk about your podcast. Let's get on to something the viewers might actually be interested in, which is: How are we going to cut taxes, how are we going to turn this economy around, and how are we going to restore credibility to our public finances?"
Bringing the debate to an end, Mr Sopel acknowledged: "I know you're really good at social media, and I'm sure these will make great clips, but let's get back to the topic."
