Trendpills
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales and a one-time Member of the European Parliament, has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for promoting pro-Russian interests. At a hearing at the Old Bailey in London, Gill, 52, admitted to eight counts of bribery that took place between December 2018 and July 2019.
The case, brought forward by the National Crime Agency (NCA), centers on allegations that Gill accepted corrupt payments to use his political platform. While serving as an MEP, he was tasked with making statements in the European Parliament that supported a pro-Russian narrative, particularly concerning Ukraine. The court heard that he engaged in this activity while being paid by an intermediary.
Gill was initially charged by the NCA in February 2025 and was scheduled to stand trial the following year. However, his admission of guilt pre-empted the trial. The politician from Anglesey, North Wales, had previously been a prominent figure in Welsh politics, first for UKIP and later for the Brexit Party, which was subsequently renamed Reform UK. He stepped down as the party's leader in Wales before these charges became public.
The prosecution highlights growing concerns over foreign interference in Western politics. The charges specify that Gill corruptly accepted payments as a reward for exercising his functions as an MEP. Following his plea, Gill was released on bail, and a date for his sentencing is expected to be set in the near future. The case against a co-defendant, who has pleaded not guilty to related charges, is set to proceed separately. The guilty plea concludes a significant investigation into corruption at the intersection of European politics and foreign influence operations. Officials have underscored the importance of prosecuting such cases to safeguard the integrity of democratic institutions against illicit financial persuasion from foreign states. Gill's actions were part of a wider probe into allegations of Russian-linked bribery within European political circles.
