London Police Expand Investigation into Reform Party; Undercover Footage Raises Questions of Overseas Secret Donations

London's Metropolitan Police are expanding a criminal investigation into Reform UK, the right-wing populist party led by Farage. According to The New York Times, previously released undercover footage showed party officials allegedly arranging secret donations from an overseas donor, suspected of violating the UK's ban on foreign political contributions.

Related footage showed Reform Party officials coordinating political donations despite being aware that the other party was an overseas individual. Police are conducting the investigation based on UK electoral law and political contribution regulations, and the related allegations have moved from public controversy to criminal scrutiny.

According to The New York Times, last Saturday, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage attended the Reform Party annual conference in Birmingham, England, appearing at the venue surrounded by security personnel.

UK law has a clear ban on foreign political donations—foreign citizens or entities registered abroad are prohibited from making donations to domestic parties or candidates, and violators may face criminal penalties. This rule has long been regarded as a core safeguard against external funds interfering in domestic elections.

The specific progress of the investigation remains unclear. The identity, nationality of the overseas donor, and their specific connection to the Reform Party have not been disclosed, nor have the names of the officials involved or the potential charges. Farage himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The Reform Party has previously denied illegally accepting overseas donations.