News

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

Published

8 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.

Crime

Haverfordwest man jailed for seven years for historic rape and sexual assault of girl

Published

5 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of raping and indecently assaulting a girl during the 1980s.

Alan Pyart, aged 60, of North Court, Haverfordwest, was found guilty following a trial at Swansea Crown Court earlier this year.

Pyart had denied raping and indecently assaulting the victim, who was under the age of 16 at the time of the offences.

The case returned to court for sentencing after being adjourned for more than two months so that a further psychiatric report could be prepared.

Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Pyart to seven years in prison for rape and four years for indecent assault. The sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve an overall custodial term of seven years.

Pyart was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

He had previously been remanded in custody while awaiting sentence.

Reporting restrictions are in place which legally protect the identity of the victim.

Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale, of Pembrokeshire CID, praised the victim for coming forward many years after the abuse took place.

She said the case demonstrated the lasting effect sexual abuse can have on victims and their families, adding that it was never too late to seek justice.

DI Totterdale said: “I would like to commend the victim for the immense courage she has shown in coming forward and speaking about what happened to her all those years ago.

“Abuse of this nature can leave deep and long-lasting scars, but it is never too late to seek justice.

“We hope this conviction and sentence sends a clear message that Dyfed-Powys Police will pursue offenders, no matter how much time has passed.”

She encouraged anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, either recently or in the past, to contact police, saying they would be listened to, supported and taken seriously.

Information about reporting rape and sexual assault, as well as details of available support services, can be found through the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

Community

Goodwick Sea Scouts spruce up headquarters ahead of Wales in Bloom judging

Published

6 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

GOODWICK Sea Scout Group has praised its young members, leaders and volunteers after they helped brighten up the area outside the group’s headquarters.

The team rolled up their sleeves ahead of the town’s recent Wales in Bloom judging, clearing overgrown vegetation and transforming an old boat into an eye-catching flower bed filled with colourful plants.

The group said the work had made a real difference to the front of the hall and thanked everyone who gave their time to help.

A spokesperson said: “Our Scout group worked hard to tidy up the front of our hall in time for the town’s Wales in Bloom judging.

“Well done to all the young people, leaders and volunteers who helped.”

The group is now hoping to build on the improvements and would like to hear from anyone with gardening experience who could volunteer to help care for the land surrounding the hall.

Anyone interested in lending a hand is encouraged to contact Goodwick Sea Scout Group directly.

News

Burnham more willing to listen on Welsh devolution, says First Minister

Published

10 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Rhun ap Iorwerth says he will press the new Prime Minister for powers over policing, railways and Wales’ natural resources when the two leaders meet.

FIRST MINISTER Rhun ap Iorwerth has said he believes Andy Burnham is more willing to listen to Wales’ demands for further devolution than his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.

The Plaid Cymru leader is expected to hold an introductory meeting with the new Prime Minister on Thursday, following a telephone conversation between the pair earlier this week.

Mr ap Iorwerth said he hoped the change in leadership at Westminster would provide an opportunity to take Welsh devolution to the “next level”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Wednesday, he said: “I had a conversation with Andy Burnham yesterday, congratulated him on becoming Prime Minister, and we both made it clear to each other that we wanted to have a positive relationship, a constructive relationship.

“I know that he understands devolution for Manchester. I want to help him understand what devolution means in Wales and what tools we need to make it work better.”

The First Minister said his government had been elected with a mandate to seek greater control over policing and justice, rail services and funding, as well as Wales’ natural resources.

He said: “There is a list, if you like, of things that we need to devolve now in order to move the story of Wales, the story of devolution, on to the next level.

“It’s clear that we now have a Prime Minister who is open to listening, perhaps in a way that Keir Starmer wasn’t, and I’m eager to do everything that I can to make the case for Wales.”

A planned meeting between Mr ap Iorwerth and Sir Keir failed to take place before the former Prime Minister left office, with the First Minister previously blaming “chaos in Westminster”.

Plaid Cymru formed the Welsh Government in May after ending more than two decades of Welsh Labour rule at the Senedd election.

Mr Burnham has extensive experience of devolved government after serving as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he repeatedly called for greater powers and funding to be transferred away from Westminster.

However, the new Prime Minister has sought to play down the prospect of major constitutional reform.

During conversations with the leaders of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland on Tuesday, Mr Burnham said his immediate focus would be on “practical measures” rather than constitutional changes or further independence referendums.

Mr ap Iorwerth supports Welsh independence but has said his government will not seek to hold an independence referendum during its first term.

Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on the working relationship between the Welsh and UK governments, as well as funding, transport and the future balance of devolved powers.