News

Former Wales Reform leader Nathan Gill jailed for 10½ years over bribery plot

Published

2 months ago

November 21, 2025

A FORMER Welsh MEP who once served as Nigel Farage’s senior lieutenant in Wales has been jailed for ten-and-a-half years after admitting a series of bribery offences linked to a covert pro-Russian influence campaign inside the European Parliament.

Nathan Gill, aged fifty-two, appeared at the Old Bailey on Friday where Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb described his conduct as a “persistent and sophisticated abuse of trust” that struck at the heart of democratic processes. Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery earlier this year.

The offences centred on a secret arrangement with Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn, a figure aligned with Kremlin-backed interests. WhatsApp messages recovered from Gill’s phone revealed coded discussions about payments, scripts for parliamentary speeches and requests to “co-opt” other MEPs to promote Russian-aligned narratives.

Gill, a father-of-seven from Anglesey, served as a UKIP MEP between 2014 and 2020 before following Nigel Farage into the Brexit Party and later becoming the leader of Reform UK in Wales. He was arrested after counter-terrorism officers stopped him at Manchester Airport in September 2021, two days before he was due to fly to Moscow for a conference. His mobile phone was seized during a border check, and investigators uncovered a detailed message history stretching back to 2018.

Scripts, payments and a Kremlin-linked oligarch

Prosecutors told the court that Gill repeatedly acted on instructions from Voloshyn, including reading pre-prepared contributions in European Parliament debates, supporting pro-Russian broadcasters, and arranging a high-profile appearance in Strasbourg for Viktor Medvedchuk, a powerful Ukrainian oligarch whose daughter counts Vladimir Putin as her godfather.

Messages referred to “Christmas gifts” and “postcards”, which prosecutors said were code for cash. In one exchange, Gill sent Voloshyn a YouTube clip of his parliamentary remarks, adding that “V should be pleased by this” — a reference, the court heard, to Medvedchuk.

Mark Heywood KC, prosecuting, said the payments were “to the financial benefit of both himself and others” and represented a sustained effort to smuggle Russian-aligned talking points into the heart of European democracy. He said Gill had “abused a position of power or trust” for personal gain.

Judge: ‘Harm inflicted is profound’

Sentencing Gill to 10 years and six months, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said the former MEP had wilfully betrayed the responsibilities of his office.

“This offending was persistent rather than a momentary lapse in judgement,” she said. “You abused a position of significant authority and trust, and the harm inflicted is profound.”

The judge said Gill had offered “scant personal mitigation” and highlighted the seriousness of using unsuspecting British MEPs to lend legitimacy to the operation.

Defence accepts ‘inevitable’ prison term

Peter Wright KC, defending, said Gill recognised he had “let down” colleagues, friends and his own family, leaving them facing an uncertain future. Wright acknowledged that a long prison sentence was “inevitable” but argued that the “unique” nature of the case justified some leniency.

Throughout the hearing, Gill remained largely expressionless, though he briefly waved to family members in the gallery before sentencing resumed.

No evidence Farage knew

Police emphasised there is no evidence Nigel Farage knew of Gill’s bribery activities. Farage has previously said he was “stunned” by the revelations and condemned Gill’s behaviour “in every possible way”.

The case, however, is politically damaging for Reform UK and comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over Russian influence in Europe.

A rare conviction for foreign interference

Senior counter-terrorism officers said the case “goes to the heart of our democratic values” and warned that attempts by foreign states to manipulate political debate in Europe remain a “constant threat”.

Gill will serve his sentence in a UK prison.

Voloshyn, who is outside the jurisdiction, has not been charged.

‘Serious questions about Reform UK’

Responding to Nathan Gill’s sentencing, Mick Antoniw, Welsh Labour MS for Pontypridd, who is half-Ukrainian, said: “Today’s sentence once again raises serious questions on what Reform UK knew about this scandal and what influence Nathan Gill had on the party in Wales.

“Reform’s Welsh leader was seemingly putting the interests of Russia before the interests of Wales, and the people of Wales deserve to know what they are voting for. Welsh Labour will not stop asking these questions.”

Ed Davey said: “A traitor was at the very top of Reform UK, aiding and abetting a foreign adversary. Nigel Farage and his party are a danger to national security.

“Nigel Farage himself was previously paid to be on Putin’s TV channel, Russia Today, and said he was the world leader he admires the most. We must all ask – where do his loyalties really lie?”

“We need a full investigation into Russian interference in our politics.”

This is not the first time Gill’s career has been overshadowed by controversy. In 2014, shortly after first being elected as a UKIP MEP, he faced criticism over his family’s former care businesses in Hull, which had employed large numbers of migrant workers despite UKIP’s public campaign to tighten immigration rules. Gill defended the practice at the time, saying the sector struggled to recruit local staff and that the work was “tough with a high turnover”. The episode drew accusations of hypocrisy during a period when UKIP’s immigration rhetoric was under intense national scrutiny.

Business

Wind turbine blade convoy rolls through Pembroke Dock to Waterston

Published

19 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police escort guides huge component to Dragon LNG site as renewable upgrade continues

PEMBROKESHIRE residents were treated to an unusual sight on Monday (Jan 19) as a massive wind turbine blade was transported through Pembroke Dock under police escort.

The blade — stretching the length of a passenger aircraft wing — was carried on a specialist extendable trailer and moved slowly through the town before continuing towards the Dragon LNG site.

Footage shared online by Hidden Pembrokeshire – Gareth Davies Photography showed officers stopping traffic at junctions and roundabouts to allow the abnormal load to pass safely, with spotters walking alongside to guide the driver through tight bends and narrow sections of road.

Onlookers said the scale of the blade was striking up close, and many stopped to film the carefully managed convoy as it made its way along the route.

The delivery is part of ongoing works linked to new wind turbines being installed next to the Dragon LNG terminal, aimed at generating cleaner electricity for the site and helping to cut emissions in Pembrokeshire.

Further movements of turbine components are expected as the project continues.

***Convoy leaving the Cleddau Bridge (Pic: Pete Sharp/Herald)***

Video: Gareth Davies/Hidden Pembrokeshire

Cover Photo: Martin Cavaney/Herald

News

Conservative MS James Evans loses whip amid Reform defection talks

Published

35 minutes ago

January 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Tories accused of “chasing Reform” as Lib Dems demand by-election if he jumps ship

A SENEDD member for Brecon and Radnorshire has been stripped of the Conservative whip after his party said he continued to explore talks with Reform UK figures about the possibility of defecting.

James Evans MS was removed from the Welsh Conservative group’s front bench and now sits as an independent in the Senedd while he considers his political future.

The decision was taken by Welsh Conservative leader Darren Millar MS, who said the move followed a breakdown in trust after Mr Evans was asked about reports linking him to Reform. Senior figures said assurances were given that the matter had been closed, but that further contact continued.

Mr Evans has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing and the issue is a political one: whether a sitting MS can keep their party position while holding discussions about leaving.

In a statement following the decision, Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS said the episode exposed “the complete mess the Conservatives have created by chasing Reform instead of focusing on the people of Wales”.

She claimed Reform was “fast becoming a retirement home for Conservatives worried about losing their seats” and criticised what she described as politicians “jumping ship” based on whether it improves their chances of holding on to power.

Ms Dodds added that if Mr Evans chooses to defect, he should “have the courage to face the electorate in a by-election and seek a fresh mandate from the people of Brecon and Radnorshire”.

Under Senedd rules, the removal of the whip does not automatically trigger a by-election. An MS can sit as an independent or join another group without vacating their seat, unless they resign or are disqualified.

The row lands as parties brace for the Senedd election in May, with Reform attempting to build its presence in Wales and the Conservatives under pressure in polls.

Mr Evans has previously held a prominent role within the Welsh Conservative group. In response to the whip being withdrawn, he has indicated he will continue working for constituents and has voiced concerns about the direction of the wider Conservative Party. It is not yet clear whether he will remain independent, seek to rejoin the Conservative group, or align himself with another party.

The Herald understands discussions and speculation about possible defections have been swirling around several political figures across the UK in recent months as parties reposition ahead of the next round of elections, with Reform targeting disaffected Conservatives in particular.

No timetable has been set for any decision by Mr Evans, but party opponents have seized on the incident as further evidence of instability at a time when public services and living costs remain at the top of many voters’ concerns.

Crime

Covid loan fraudster ordered to repay almost £200,000 after Swansea hearing

Published

19 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST man who fraudulently secured £150,000 in Covid support for mobile phone businesses has been ordered to repay almost £200,000 — and faces prison if he fails to pay.

Zahid Afzal, 37, of Albert Street, appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Jan 19) for a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The court ordered him to pay £197,306 within three months.

Afzal was previously handed a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years in June 2025 after pleading guilty to fraud offences following an Insolvency Service investigation. He was also ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work.

The Insolvency Service said Afzal made two legitimate applications for Bounce Back Loans in 2020, totalling £52,500, for his companies Phone Bits Limited and Phones Onn Ltd. However, it said he then exploited the scheme by applying for three additional maximum-value loans of £50,000 each, despite companies only being entitled to one Bounce Back Loan.

The £150,000 was paid between May and November 2020 — one £50,000 loan for Phone Bits Limited and two £50,000 loans for Phones Onn Ltd.

Investigators said Afzal falsely declared that Phone Bits Limited had not already received a Bounce Back Loan when he made a further application in May 2020, despite £32,500 having been paid into the company’s account the day before.

They also said he inflated the turnover figure for Phones Onn Ltd on applications in July and November 2020, stating it was £200,000 — the minimum required to secure a £50,000 loan — after earlier declaring turnover of £80,000 when applying legitimately for a £20,000 loan.

The Insolvency Service said significant amounts of the money paid into the businesses were later transferred into Afzal’s personal accounts, contrary to scheme rules which required the loans to be used for the economic benefit of the business.

Afzal has repaid only £2,722 in the more than five years since the applications were made, the Insolvency Service said. If he fails to repay the £197,306 within the time allowed, he faces two years in prison — and will still be required to repay the money even if jailed.

The confiscation figure includes the three £50,000 loans and indexation to reflect changes in the value of money since 2020.

The Insolvency Service said it also secured a restraint order against Afzal’s accounts, preventing assets from being moved or spent while proceeds of crime action was pursued.

Afzal’s businesses operated mobile phone shops or kiosks in Carmarthen, Shropshire, Andover in Hampshire and North Devon.