BBC have reported the following about Reform!

Exactly, DAR.

The alleged crimes being investigated by police are in relation to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) - about what was revealed in the Verbatim documentary to add to the already ongoing investigation into donations from George Cottrell.

Permissible donations include individuals registered in an electoral register; a company registered in the United Kingdom which carries on business in the United Kingdom; a registered political party; a trade union; a building society; a limited liability partnership; a friendly society or industrial and provident society and any other unincorporated association which is carrying on business or other activities, and has its main office, in the United Kingdom.

Under Section 61 (1) PPERA A person commits an offence if he:

(a) knowingly enters into, or

(b) knowingly does any act in furtherance of,

any arrangement which facilitates or is likely to facilitate, whether by means of any concealment or disguise or otherwise, the making of donations to a registered party by any person or body other than a permissible donor.

Reform members we know are involved in this:

* Farage (because Cottrell was paying his campaign expenses - also not declared to Parliament along with the £5 million from Harborne),

* Tice (because Cottrell’s money was funnelled through his company),

* Orr and Jukes.

There could be others.

The maximum penalty for an offence under Section 61 (1) is up to one year in prison, an unlimited fine, or both on conviction.

On other words, all four could be going to jail.

Dale Vince a British born, British resident, still residing in Britain.

AI tells us;

“Dale Vince's donations to the Labour Party have been declared legally and transparently via the standard political reporting processes.

(https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/political-registration-and-regulation/our-enforcement-work/investigations),

However, because the UK's reporting system allows for processing windows, a few specific nuances apply regarding the timing and visibility of these declarations:

The Declaration Process & TransparencyElectoral Commission Records:

Over the last decade, Vince has donated over £5 million to the Labour Party. The vast majority of these funds have been processed through his green energy company, Ecotricity.

All of these funds appear openly on the Electoral Commission’s public register of politic donations.

Legitimacy of Funds:

The Labour Party has repeatedly defended the funding, stating that Vince is a "perfectly legitimate person" to accept money from. Vince himself has stated that the funds are completely transparent and tax-paid.

The full scale of political donations is never visible to the public in real time. Because there are statutory delays between the date a political party receives a donation, the date they report it to the regulator, and the date the regulator publishes it online, there is always a lag of up to several months before the public can view new donations.

This is a feature of standard UK electoral law rather than a compliance failure by Labour or Vince.

Whilst Vince’s personal and corporate donations to Labour have met reporting requirements, the Electoral Commission has previously looked into separate, minor reporting lags within the wider party structure:

An investigation concluded in February 2026 into the Labour Party's reporting practices.

(https://ww.org.uk/political-registration-and-regulation/our-enforcement-work/investigations)

It found that a separate £50,000 impermissible donation (unrelated to Vince) was returned late, and it noted a "late reporting of two non-cash donations".

[(https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/political-registration-and-regulation/our-enforcement-work/investigations)

Ultimately, the regulator made no determination of offenses for the late reporting, closing the case on the basis that the public register was fully brought up to date and voter transparency was maintained.“

So, in fact, donations made in the past, to the LP, have been investigated.

I don’t recall Labour Party voters, or Starmer or any other LP MP moaning, groaning, and stating this “wasn’t fair”

Peaseblossom

always mudslinging at reform because they are scared they're going to win, but what about all the scandal with the other parties?

What about , yes , what about ! What about Reform allegedly breaking the law? Are we to ignore it. Yes, plenty of scandals with the other parties and the reason we know about them is because they are exposed. It seems you think that Reform should be able to break the law with impunity. Breaking news, they can’t.

Im not a Reform supporter so will shed no tears if Farage is jailed but the opinion of supporters remain and they will go to other parties whose policies appeal to them, a lot will go back to the Tories, probably not with Badenoch leading.

David49

Im not a Reform supporter so will shed no tears if Farage is jailed but the opinion of supporters remain and they will go to other parties whose policies appeal to them, a lot will go back to the Tories, probably not with Badenoch leading.

I agree.

As if Farage will.be jailed don't be silly. Labour are letting vicious criminals out early. We have undocumented men roaming out streets more coming in daily it seems to me. I'm not a Reform member but even I can see similarities with Trump trying to discredit him before the election in USA and he won with a stonking majority. Some on GN seem obsessed with Farage, why no Posts praising our new PMBurnham and no I've no wish to start one. Any publicity is better than no publicity didn't someone once say.

I’m very sorry to say this, (you know, sorry-not-sorry ), but I fear that some of Farage’s supporters are in a similar vein to Trump’s.

In their eyes, these two literally can do nothing wrong, ever, anywhere. Trump once boasted he could “shoot someone dead in a public place and still lose no supporters”. Or words to that effect.

I genuinely believe this isn’t completely accurate, but I do believe the most hardcore supporters of both Farage and Trump will stick by them whatever they did/do.

As for the media and press “hounding” Farage, that truly is one of the most ludicrous statements ever!

With Farage’s links to both GB News and the Telegraph and him owning at least one media company, Farage has had a pretty easy ride until some nosy journalist discovered the undeclared £5m bung from Harborne.

From this point onwards we’ve had to put up with a political broadcast on mainstream TV from Farage “resigning”, then re-standing , then hear his supporters criticising every other single party in government for refusing to join in his political circus.

He’s not been “picked on”, “bullied”, “harassed” “gaslighted” or any other negative connotation. He simply doesn’t like being challenged, like all ego driven people.

Peacelilydilly

As if Farage will.be jailed don't be silly. Labour are letting vicious criminals out early. We have undocumented men roaming out streets more coming in daily it seems to me. I'm not a Reform member but even I can see similarities with Trump trying to discredit him before the election in USA and he won with a stonking majority. Some on GN seem obsessed with Farage, why no Posts praising our new PMBurnham and no I've no wish to start one. Any publicity is better than no publicity didn't someone once say.

Have you appreciated what a huge news story this is, that’s why people are talking about it, just as they would if something similar was revealed about the Labour Party, or any other?

I wouldn’t count your chickens on Farage not being guilty of the offences being investigated until the full extent of this is known Peacelilydilly, it’s a foolish person who assumes without knowledge.

Farage supporters are the same as Trumps they think it's a "witch hunt" he is being demonized, thankfully Farage has no actual power to do anything.

Peacelilydilly

As if Farage will.be jailed don't be silly. Labour are letting vicious criminals out early. We have undocumented men roaming out streets more coming in daily it seems to me. I'm not a Reform member but even I can see similarities with Trump trying to discredit him before the election in USA and he won with a stonking majority. Some on GN seem obsessed with Farage, why no Posts praising our new PMBurnham and no I've no wish to start one. Any publicity is better than no publicity didn't someone once say.

Some of us here believe in honesty, decency and justice.

Neither of which are evident in either Farage or Trump.

It’s been pretty evident on most N&P threads there are many different views, beliefs and moral compasses, but most of us manage to brush along together, sometimes agreeing, more often not.

Time will tell what happens in the future, none of us can see into the future.

I have seen some positive posts about AB on here, btw. Jury is out for me currently, as I’m giving him the time to settle into his role and I truly hope he does a good job, which benefits us all.

As if Farage will be jailed don't be silly.

Where does it say in Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) that Farage would be immune from penalty if found guilty under Section 61(1)?

I hope Burnham does turn the economy round and life improves so far his policies seem reasonable enough, I do hope he doesnt become a U turn PM like Starmer was.

Early days.

And with every new scandal about Reform, their 'little boat' has sailed.

And this from The NewsAgents:

The sad, sad story of how Nigel Farage lost his friends in France

www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/the-sad-sad-story-of-how-nigel-farage-lost-his-friends-in-france-5HjdhGG_2/

Graphite

And this from The NewsAgents:

The sad, sad story of how Nigel Farage lost his friends in France

www.thenewsagents.co.uk/article/the-sad-sad-story-of-how-nigel-farage-lost-his-friends-in-france-5HjdhGG_2/

Surely, as Farage is not in power, he has neither the remit nor authority to do this, so surely just theatrics yet again?

Why doesn’t this odious little man stay in Clacton and do the job he allegedly wanted so badly he stood half a dozen times and give the residents of Tendring the attention they deserve?

Wonder how that 'only a Contractor' but also is a teacher of, would you believe, Ethics' in Cambridge University is getting on, imparting his ethical philosophy to his new intake?

Any undeclared donations and any donations from none legitimate sources for all parties such as the claims being investigated in Reform UK absolutely should be investigated.

However Dale Vince is a a UK citizen and a legitimate, lawful donor so not need to investigate him as a donor source. Further the Labour Party declared all his donations over that 10 year period so there are no grounds for similar investigation currently being faced by Reform UK. Vance donated around £5 million to Labour Party from around 2014 to 2024 GE cycle.

Starmer accepted a total of around £32,000 from Lord Ali over 2023 and 2024. These gifts were legal to accept and within the rules. The strict 28 day declaration window was missed however but the full £32 was declared and detailed. Missing the strict 28 day declaration window is well reported by politicians from all parties- Farage being a repeat culprit.

These sums from Lord Ali was very controversial at the time even though legal because the sums were for clothing/designer glasses. Not a good look for a left wing party and a misjudged own goal. Starmer undertook not to accept clothing donations whilst in office again. His wife is/was not a politician, not in public office and free like all UK citizens, to accept any clothing gifts from anybody she wishes. She did not break any rules as no donation rules apply to private citizens.

Peacelilydilly

As if Farage will.be jailed don't be silly. Labour are letting vicious criminals out early. We have undocumented men roaming out streets more coming in daily it seems to me. I'm not a Reform member but even I can see similarities with Trump trying to discredit him before the election in USA and he won with a stonking majority. Some on GN seem obsessed with Farage, why no Posts praising our new PMBurnham and no I've no wish to start one. Any publicity is better than no publicity didn't someone once say.

Perhaps some voters do not require their chosen political party to act legally, honestly or fairly and can tolerate corruption. However the majority of the electorate is more likely to seek a government that is not corrupt.

Publicity of police investigations etc as Farage and Reform UK are currently facing, is not good publicity. Both Farage's personal poll ratings and party poll ratings have fallen- which is not welcome or good news for Farage and he likely is very upset to have lost Reform UK's lead in the polls as that puts his ambitions at risk.

Trump is a convicted felon- his actions and rap sheet in full view of the world. His words and actions discredit him.

The early release scheme of convicted prison detainees is a different issue to political criminality.

David49

I hope Burnham does turn the economy round and life improves so far his policies seem reasonable enough, I do hope he doesnt become a U turn PM like Starmer was.

Early days.

Hopefully, John Healey will be a better Chancellor than Rachel Reeves, who didn't do proper research, which resulted in several u-turns.

I agree that NF should be investigated. If he is found guilty after due process then fair enough.

I for one couldn’t defend the indefensible if that were to be the case although u sincerely hope he won’t be charged.

And Breaking News (from The Telegraph):

“ Ben Delo
Ben Delo
Published 11 September 2026 8:42pm BST
Labour and the Conservatives have occupied the commanding heights of British politics for a combined total of more than 300 years. Reform UK has been around for less than eight.

One of the reasons why the old parties have lasted so long is that they have made it very expensive to challenge them.

Both of them have annual budgets that run into the tens of millions. Last year, when there was no general election, Labour spent some £3.9m per month and the Tories about £2.3m per month. Reform only managed around £1.8m per month.

Unlike the people who express mock concern for the health of “our democracy” while doing everything they can to keep it as a cartel, I want a fair fight and a level playing field. My conclusion from Reform’s recent troubles is that the party should spend less time trying to raise funds to compete on equal terms and more time preparing for government.

That’s why today I’m announcing that I’m giving £1m per month to Reform UK until the expected 2029 general election, to help them get ready for government. What’s more, to remove the temptation from Labour to use control of Parliament to try to cut that financial lifeline to a competitor, I have front-loaded these donations into a single payment of £36m.”

Goodness.
This’ll set the cat amongst the pigeons…. 😮

Ben Delo?
Is this the same Ben Delo, who deals in crypto currency, and who pled guilty to a financial crime in the USA?

Maremia

Ben Delo?
Is this the same Ben Delo, who deals in crypto currency, and who pled guilty to a financial crime in the USA?

Yes. In 2022 Ben Delo pleaded guilty to a United States Secrecy Act Violation and received a 30-month probation sentence. He was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2025.

As well as the current donation, he gave a donation of £4 million to reform in April 2026, and a further donation of £4 million to Reform in early September 2026.

He is a cryptocurrency billionaire, and co-founder of BitMEX one of the major cryptocurrency platforms.

Pardoned by Donald Trump?
Not exactly a character endorsement.

Thanks for the info TheatreLover.