The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison after admitting to accepting bribes in exchange for pro-Russia interviews and speeches.
Nathan Gill, 52, from Llangefni, Anglesey, is believed to have received up to £40,000 for promoting the interests of pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine.
During his tenure as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Gill accepted funds from Oleg Voloshyn, 44, who was previously described by the U.S. government as a “pawn” of Russian intelligence services.
At the Old Bailey, Justice Cheema-Grubb stated that Gill had abused his position and eroded “public confidence in democracy.”
Voloshyn acted on behalf of Viktor Medvedchuk, 71, a former oligarch and a “close friend” of Vladimir Putin, who was the source of both the requests and the financial compensation.
The Metropolitan Police have stated that their investigations are ongoing to determine “whether any other individuals have committed offences.”
Gill is the first politician to be imprisoned under the Bribery Act.
Reform UK expressed that they were pleased justice was served, denouncing his actions as “reprehensible, treasonous, and unforgivable.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused Gill of “undermining our interests as a country” and urged Reform leader Nigel Farage to investigate any additional links the party may have with Russia.
Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met Police’s counter-terrorism unit, described Gill as an “extraordinarily willing participant” in the bribery scheme, characterizing his actions as a “threat to national security.”
He stated that this case is part of a broader pattern of Russian activity, which includes incidents such as the Salisbury poisonings in 2018 and an arson attack in London in 2024.
Gill, who served as an MEP from 2014 to 2020, initially representing UKIP and later the Brexit Party, pleaded guilty to eight charges of bribery during a hearing in March.
In exchange for financial compensation, he conducted two television interviews with 112 Ukraine, a news outlet, in support of Medvedchuk, a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician who was facing treason proceedings at the time.
Medvedchuk was apprehended by Ukrainian authorities at the beginning of the 2022 Russian full-scale invasion and was subsequently exchanged with Moscow in a prisoner swap.
Medvedchuk was affiliated with two television channels, 112 and NewsOne, which faced potential closure by Ukrainian authorities in 2018 and 2019.
Gill delivered two speeches in the European Parliament defending these channels, both at the request of Voloshyn, whose wife was a presenter on 112 Ukraine.
Both channels were eventually taken off the air in 2021.
Voloshyn also tasked Gill with recruiting other MEPs to speak on 112, providing him with talking points to share with them.
The court was informed that Gill primarily enlisted MEPs from the United Kingdom, as well as some from Germany and France.
Justice Cheema-Grubb informed the court that there was no evidence to suggest that they were aware of Gill’s financial motivations.
Police have stated that there was no evidence indicating Gill was paying others.
In text messages obtained by the police, Voloshyn stated that he would “request and secure at least 5K” for Gill if he recruited “three or four” others.
Gill responded: “I shall do my best.”
Gill also hosted Medvedchuk at the European Parliament’s base in Strasbourg to promote a “peace plan” for the Donbas region—an event that was praised by Vladimir Putin the following day on Russian television.
The court was informed that Voloshyn asked Gill to arrange for colleagues from the Brexit Party to attend.
Prosecution barrister Mark Heywood KC stated that Voloshyn asked Gill to reserve a room and Gill stated he could “drag a few in,” promising a “small sack of paper gifts.”
In one exchange of messages, Voloshyn offered to bring $13,000 USD (£9,936) to him, along with €4,000 (£3,516) for the peace plan.
By December 2018, Mr. Heywood stated that the messages indicated a “close relationship between the two men.”
In her sentencing remarks, Justice Cheema-Grubb noted that there was “scant personal mitigation.”
“The enlisting of fellow representatives into this activity compounds the wrongdoing, undermining the mutual trust essential to the proper functioning of democratic institutions,” she stated.
Police began investigating Gill following intelligence tip-offs, including from the FBI, who discovered messages to Gill on Voloshyn’s phone when he traveled to the United States in 2021.
Officers were en route to search Gill’s residence in Anglesey, North Wales, on September 13, 2021, when they learned that he had already departed for Manchester Airport to board a flight to Russia to attend a conference and observe elections.
Gill was stopped and detained at the airport under counter-terrorism laws. A search of his phone revealed messages with Voloshyn.
Voloshyn utilized innuendoes to allude to money, messaging Gill on one occasion: “I’ve received all promised Xmas gifts and requested five more postcards for your kind help next week during the debate.”
He provided scripts and instructions, directing Gill to advocate on behalf of 112 Ukraine and NewsOne.
“The budget and project is confirmed by V,” he told Gill on December 4, 2018, referencing Viktor Medvedchuk, adding, “V always delivers if he promises.”
His message continued: “V was very excited when I told him of this option. And he really counts on it to happen.”
Police searching Gill’s residence found €5,000 and $5,000 in cash. The court heard an application to recover £30,000 from Gill, although police suspect he may have earned up to £40,000.
The earliest offense to which Gill pleaded guilty dates back to the same day he left UKIP in 2018.
He continued to accept bribes after joining Nigel Farage’s new Brexit Party.
He later led the party into the 2021 Senedd election after it rebranded as Reform UK.
In mitigation, defense barrister Peter Wright told the court his actions may seem “unfathomable” given the “laudable and noble” features of his political life.
“He recognizes, and did by his guilty pleas, the enormity of what he has done and the betrayal of the trust placed in him,” Mr. Wright said.
Farage has previously stated that he had no knowledge of Gill’s “shameful activities” and condemned them “in every possible way.”
Police stated that their investigation revealed no connections to Farage.
Gill also represented North Wales in the Welsh Parliament from 2016 to 2017. Police found no evidence to suggest criminal activity linked to this period.
In addition to the eight charges to which he pleaded guilty, he pleaded not guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit bribery.
“Nathan Gill has absolutely been held to account for his activity,” stated Commander Murphy.
“That should send a strong message to any elected official or anyone in an official capacity who is asked to act on behalf of another government and paid money to do so.”
The Liberal Democrats have called for a broader investigation into Russian influence in British politics.
Party leader Sir Ed Davey stated: “A traitor was at the very top of Reform UK, aiding and abetting a foreign adversary.”
Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville Roberts stated that if the former Reform UK leader in Wales was part of a “broader, coordinated effort to advance Moscow’s agenda within our democratic institutions, then the public deserves to know the full truth.”
Welsh Conservative Senedd leader Darren Millar stated: “Reform is a threat to our national security.”
Additional reporting by Daniel Davies.
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