The former leader of Reform UK in Wales appeared in court on Monday accused of accepting bribes in exchange for making statements in the European parliament that would benefit Russia.
Nathan Gill is facing eight counts of bribery and one of conspiracy to commit bribery. The court heard he allegedly received money from former Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn to make statements about events in the country that were supportive of Russia’s narrative, according to the Press Association.
His comments in the European parliament and in articles written for news outlets were “supportive of a particular narrative” that would “benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine”, the court heard. His media appearances included 112 Ukraine, a pro-Russian channel that was banned by Ukraine in 2021.
Gill confirmed his name, date of birth and address during the hearing on Monday but did not enter any pleas for the charge. He was granted bail under the condition that he surrender his passport. He will appear at the Old Bailey on March 14.
Gill was a member of the European parliament for the UK Independence party and then for Nigel Farage’s Brexit party between 2014 and 2020. The party has since rebranded as Reform UK.
In 2021, Gill was announced as the leader of Reform in Wales, and ran its campaign for the Senedd election. He quit the party shortly after losing the election, Reform subsequently said.
Gill, 51, was arrested on September 13, 2021 under anti-terror legislation, according to a case summary provided by the Crown Prosecution Service. His phone was seized and on it authorities found evidence that he had received bribes to undertake activities on behalf of Voloshyn.
The offences can carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, or a fine, or both.
Reform said Gill was never a member of the party, a technicality as the party only introduced paying members after Gill had left.