Ex-Reform politician admits Russia-linked bribery charges

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has pleaded guilty to bribery charges relating to making statements in favour of Russia while being an elected member of the European Parliament.

Nathan Gill, 52, from Llangefni on Anglesey, admitted eight counts of bribery between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019, but denied one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.

It was alleged he made statements in the European Parliament which were "supportive of a particular narrative" which would "benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine".

Gill will be sentenced in November and his defence barrister said he expected jail.

The charges stated that Gill, as an elected member of the European Parliament for the constituency of Wales in the UK, "agreed to receive financial advantage, namely money", which constituted "the improper performance" as the holder of an elected office.

He also made these statements in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine.

The court was told he was tasked by Ukrainian Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money and there was evidence of WhatsApp messages between the two men.

Mr Voloshyn is a former member of the Ukrainian parliament for the pro-Russian Opposition Platform for Life party.

The conspiracy to commit bribery alleged Gill conspired with Mr Voloshyn and "others" between 1 January 2018 and 1 February 2020, and that he accepted "quantities of money in cash" which was "improper performance by him of his function or activity as the holder" of a position in the European Parliament.

Prosecutor Mark Heywood said the guilty pleas were "satisfactory" because the bribery charges reflected the criminal activities, and agreed to lie the conspiracy charge on file.

They emerged after Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on 13 September 2021 under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.

Peter Wright, speaking for Gill, told, the court: "It is recognised that it is inevitable that the defendant will receive an immediate sentencing to prison."

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb told the court: "This is a serious matter."

She said Nathan Gill had "admitted having ask questions, make statements and carried out other activity in support of pro-Russian parties in the European Parliament" where he was paid to do so.

Nathan Gill served as a UKIP and Brexit Party MEP between 2014 and 2020, and was leader of UKIP Wales between 2014 and 2016.

He then served leader of Reform UK Wales between March and May 2021, leading the party's Senedd/Welsh Parliament election campaign.

However he is no longer a member of the party.