改革党两名高管因涉嫌外国非法捐款遭停职

英国反移民党派改革党因卧底调查曝光涉嫌接受外国捐款，暂停了党内两名关键人物的职务。1党顾问丹·朱克斯和政策主任詹姆斯·奥尔被指在隐蔽录音中讨论接受50万英镑（约675,000美元）美国捐款的计划。1根据英国选举法，政党只能接受来自英国选民或英国注册企业的捐款。1

卧底调查机构Verbatim和英国第4频道披露了这些对话。3奥尔被指试图通过美国公司秘密资助民调，以规避英国选举法中关于外国政治捐款的禁令。23在录音中，奥尔表示党魁法拉奇"不知道，不会知道"这项民调资金安排。3工党和自由民主党已将此事报告给伦敦大都会警察局，选举委员会表示正在考虑所有相关信息并与警方联系。1

作为剑桥大学宗教副教授的奥尔已被该大学停职，校方已启动对其行为的调查。3改革党也展开了内部调查。3法拉奇否认个人参与，声称奥尔和朱克斯不属于党的筹款团队，并指控记者"诱捕"。13

Reform UK has suspended two senior party officials following an undercover investigation that exposed discussions about accepting foreign funding in apparent violation of British electoral law.1 Party advisor Dan Jukes and policy director James Orrell were identified in undercover footage discussing plans to secure £500,000 (approximately $675,000) in donations from American sources.1 Under UK electoral law, political parties are permitted to accept donations only from British voters or registered UK-based companies.1

The undercover operation, conducted by investigative outlet Verbatim and Channel 4, revealed that Orrell appeared to orchestrate a scheme involving American-financed polling while suggesting that party leader Nigel Farage would remain unaware of the funding arrangements.3 According to the investigation, Orrell stated in recordings that Farage "doesn't know, won't know" about the polling funding plan.3 The allegations also indicate that party officials sought to circumvent electoral restrictions by using foreign corporate payments to cover polling costs.23 Orrell, who holds the position of Associate Professor of Religion at Cambridge University, has been suspended from his roles, and the university has launched a separate investigation into his conduct.3

Farage has denied any involvement in the scheme, asserting that Orrell and Jukes do not represent the party's fundraising operations.3 The party has contested the allegations, maintaining that it did not accept illicit funds.1 Both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have reported the matter to London's Metropolitan Police, while the Electoral Commission stated it is reviewing all relevant information and liaising with law enforcement.1