Ex-Reform politician admits Russia-linked bribery charges

[muriel_volestrangler]

I missed this completely last week - was it only reported in Wales? It seems pretty relevant to the whole of the UK.

Reform UK's former leader in Wales has admitted taking bribes to make statements in favour of Russia while being a Member of the European Parliament.

Nathan Gill, 52, from Llangefni, Anglesey, pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019.

The politician took money from Oleg Voloshyn - a man once described by the US government as a "pawn" of Russian secret services - and made speeches in the parliament, statements to a TV channel and arranged an event with a pro-Russian politician.
...
The Old Bailey was told he was tasked by Ukrainian Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money and there was evidence of WhatsApp messages between the two men.

Mr Voloshyn is a former member of the Ukrainian parliament for the pro-Russian Opposition Platform for Life party.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6xwy015ngo

6 December 2018 is when he resigned from UKIP (but of course continued as an MEP, just as an "Independent", despite having been elected on the UKIP list). 18 July 2019 is when he was re-elected as an MEP, for the Brexit Party, in that rather odd 'rump' representation of the UK in the last days of EU membership. But Reform liked him so much they made him its leader in Wales in 2021.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Gill

[Irish_Dem]

1. How many US politicians have taken Russian bribes?