In a move that has sent shockwaves through the British political establishment, the UK government has launched an independent review into foreign financial interference in the nation’s politics. The decision, announced on December 16, 2025, comes in the wake of the high-profile conviction of Nathan Gill, a former Member of the European Parliament and ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales, who was sentenced last month to more than 10 years in prison for accepting bribes to make statements sympathetic to Russia.
Gill’s case has been widely described as "shocking" by government officials and has reignited urgent debates around the vulnerability of British democracy to foreign influence. According to the Associated Press and BBC, Gill pleaded guilty in September to accepting thousands of euros from Oleg Voloshyn, a pro-Russian Ukrainian politician described by the US government as a "pawn" of Russian secret services. Between 2018 and 2019, Gill received up to £40,000 to make scripted statements and television appearances that furthered Russian interests.
Gill’s political career spanned several hard-right parties, including UKIP and the Brexit Party, both led by Nigel Farage. After Britain’s exit from the European Union, he briefly served as leader of Reform UK in Wales, stepping down in May 2021. Reform UK, now a leading force in British polling, was quick to condemn Gill’s actions as "reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable," stating it was glad justice had been served.
The government’s response to the scandal has been swift and far-reaching. Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, told the House of Commons, "A British politician took bribes to further the interests of the Russian regime, a regime which forcefully deported vulnerable Ukrainian children and killed a British citizen on British soil using a deadly nerve agent. This conduct is a stain on our democracy. The independent review will work to remove that stain."
The review will be led by Philip Rycroft, a former senior civil servant and permanent secretary for the Department for Exiting the European Union. Rycroft has been tasked with providing an in-depth assessment of the UK’s political financing laws, rules governing political parties, and safeguards against illicit money—including cryptocurrency donations. The review will also examine whether the current systems are robust enough to identify and mitigate foreign interference, with a report due by the end of March 2026.
Reed emphasized that the findings of the review would inform the government’s forthcoming Election and Democracy Bill, planned for publication in 2026. He noted that the government had already published a strategy for "modern and secure elections" earlier this year, aimed at closing loopholes and addressing foreign interference. However, Reed admitted, "Events have shown that we need to consider whether our firewall is enough. The independent review will look at this."
The scope of the review is intentionally broad. While it will not revisit claims of foreign interference in Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum—a subject of controversy and debate since the vote—it will examine "all potential sources of malign foreign financial interference," including China. This comes after a series of warnings from British security services about the evolving nature of foreign threats.
In November 2025, MI5, the UK’s domestic intelligence agency, warned lawmakers that Chinese spies were actively seeking to "recruit and cultivate" them through headhunters or cover companies. MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum stated that Beijing was behind "efforts to interfere covertly in UK public life." The review also references the case of Christine Lee, who in 2022 was alleged by MI5 to be a Chinese agent who infiltrated Parliament and made donations to politicians. Lee has denied knowingly engaging in political interference on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party, describing the allegations as unfounded.
Reactions from across the political spectrum have been robust. Conservative MP Paul Holmes welcomed the review as a necessary step, declaring, "Protecting the integrity of our democratic system from foreign interference is not a partisan issue. It goes to the heart of public trust in our elections." He called for better "information sharing" so political parties can more easily identify irregular sources when accepting donations. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Zöe Franklin expressed concern over the influence of wealthy individuals, including overseas donors, and urged the government to introduce a cap on political donations. Plaid Cymru MP Ann Davies criticized the government for what she described as a delayed response, warning that "there is now no time to implement reforms before the 2026 Senedd elections."
Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, while welcoming the review, urged the government to ensure it also examined the influence of China on the Labour Party. Reed responded by reiterating that the review would look at "all potential sources of malign foreign financial interference." A Downing Street spokesperson, pressed by reporters, clarified, "No, this review isn’t aimed at any specific party or individual. It’s about protecting the integrity of our democratic system."
The review is not expected to be a mere box-ticking exercise. According to the government, it will conduct an "in-depth assessment of the current financial rules and safeguards and offer recommendations to further mitigate risks from foreign political interference." This includes protections against illicit money from abroad and cryptocurrencies, a growing concern as digital assets become more prevalent in global financial transactions.
The urgency of the review is underscored by the fact that Gill is the first politician to be jailed under the Bribery Act—a milestone that many see as a warning sign for the broader political system. The government’s strategy for modern and secure elections, published earlier in 2025, was intended to close loopholes that had long been exploited. Yet, as Reed acknowledged, "the time since that strategy was published" has shown that even more robust measures may be necessary.
With Philip Rycroft at the helm, the review is expected to consult widely, including with all political parties, to ensure its recommendations are comprehensive and effective. The findings will not only inform new legislation but are also likely to shape public debate about the future of British democracy. As the UK approaches a pivotal election cycle, the stakes could hardly be higher.
As the independent review gets underway, many in Westminster hope it will mark a turning point in the fight against foreign interference, restoring public trust and reinforcing the foundations of the UK’s democratic system.
