Ex-Reform leader in court accused of pro-Russia bribes

The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has been accused of taking bribes to make pro-Russian statements.

Nathan Gill has been charged with eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery, following an investigation by British counter-terrorism police.

Gill, a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP), appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court via video link on Monday February 24.

He is accused of taking money from Ukrainian politician Oleh Voloshyn in exchange for making pro-Russia statements in both the European Parliament and in opinion pieces for the now-defunct 112 Ukraine television channel.

Voloshyn, 43, was sanctioned by the UK Government in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Crown Prosecution Service said the allegations against Gill took place during his time as an MEP.

Gill spoke at magistrates’ court only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address. No plea was entered.

He was granted bail on the condition he surrenders his passport and does not obtain international travel documents. He is also banned from making contact with Voloshyn.

Gill is now due to appear at the Old Bailey, in London, on March 14.

Who is Nathan Gill?

Gill, 51, from Anglesey, represented Wales in the European Parliament between 2014 and 2020, and campaigned for the UK to leave the European Union during the 2016 referendum.

He was previously a member of UKIP, and led the party in Wales between 2014 and 2016.

He also represented North Wales as a regional member of the then-National Assembly for Wales between 2016 and 2017.

In 2019, he left UKIP to join Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party (now Reform UK). In the general election that same year, he stood for the party in the Caerphilly constituency, where he finished fourth with 11.2% of the vote.

He became Reform’s leader in Wales ahead of the 2021 Senedd Elections.

However, Reform UK has said Gill is no longer a member of the party, which does not currently have a leader in Wales.