A former Reform UK leader in Wales, 52-year-old Nathan Gill, has been sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison after taking bribes to deliver pro-Russia statements. He admitted taking money from Oleh Voloshyn, a former Ukrainian politician with links to Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Reform UK is a right-wing populist political party.
The sentencing sparked calls for a full investigation into Russian influence. AP quoted Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey calling Gill “a traitor” and asking “where do his loyalties really lie?” BBC said Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Gill of undermining national interests and demanded that Nigel Farage examine Reform UK’s links to Russia. Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar said Reform UK is a threat to national security. Reform UK said Gill’s actions were “reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable” and welcomed the sentence. Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage said he had no knowledge of the bribery scheme and called Gill a “bad apple”.
UK politician sentenced for taking pro-Russia bribes
While he was a member of the European Parliament, Nathan Gill took cash from Voloshyn between December 2018 and July 2019. Police found messages showing coded talk about “Xmas gifts” and “postcards” that referred to payments. AP reports that prosecutors said he received around £40,000 or $52,500. BBC said he pleaded guilty to eight bribery charges at an earlier hearing in March. The Guardian reported that the court heard an application to recover £30,000 from the politician, but police believes he could have made up to £40,000. Gill gave no explanation for his actions.
He also helped arrange an event in Strasbourg to promote a so‑called peace plan for the Donbas—an eastern Ukrainian region already partially occupied by the Russians at the time. Putin praised that event the next day on Russian TV.
Messages revealed how the scheme worked
Police examined Gill’s phone after stopping him at Manchester Airport in September 2021. BBC said he was attempting to fly to Russia to attend a conference and observe elections. AP said officers found messages using coded language about money and efforts to recruit other MEPs to support Russia’s stance on Ukraine. Gill wrote that he could “drag a few in” when asked to bring colleagues.
The Guardian reported that WhatsApp chats showed the scheme became a “regular habit”. Voloshyn promised payments like “I’ll get you 5k”. Prosecutors told the court that Gill enlisted MEPs from the UK, Germany, and France to speak to 112 Ukraine. BBC said Voloshyn told Gill he would “request and secure at least 5K” if Gill brought in “three or four” others. The judge said there was no evidence those MEPs knew about the bribes.
Police say case shows wider Russian activity
BBC reported that police continue to investigate whether other individuals committed crimes. Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police said Gill acted as an “extraordinarily willing participant” in a bribery operation. He linked the case to other Russian activities in Britain, including the Salisbury poisonings and an arson attack in London in 2024. He said Russia poses a “particular challenge”.
