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First Case in UK History: UK Politician Jailed for Taking Bribes to Push Pro-Russian Narratives
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Former Member of the European Parliament and ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill, has been sentenced to 10.5 years in prison for accepting bribes to deliver pro-Russian talking points, including during appearances on Ukrainian television, as reported by the BBC on November 21.
The 52-year-old politician pleaded guilty to eight counts under the UK Bribery Act. London’s Central Criminal Court (the Old Bailey) handed down the verdict, ruling that Gill will be eligible for conditional release after serving half of his term.
According to investigators, Gill received money from a figure described as a “pro-Russian Ukrainian political actor.” In exchange, he used his political profile to amplify Kremlin-aligned narratives and support pro-Russian positions in public discourse. Prosecutors uncovered WhatsApp correspondence between Gill and Oleg Voloshyn, a Ukrainian politician known for his pro-Russian stance.
Alister Carns, the UK Minister for Veterans and Deputy Defence Secretary, called on the Reform Party to “conduct a full investigation” to “eliminate any Russian influence within the party.”
Following the sentencing, London’s Counter Terrorism Command said it is continuing to investigate whether others may have committed similar offences.
Gill appeared regularly on Ukrainian TV channels 112 Ukraine and NewsOne, part of the “Novyny” media holding controlled by Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Both channels were shut down under sanctions issued by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February 2021.
Prosecutors said Gill followed scripts and instructions provided to him to promote Russian narratives and express supposed concerns about the situation in Ukraine.
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Prosecutor Mark Heywood told the court that in December 2018 Voloshyn messaged Gill saying he had received “all the promised Christmas gifts” and asked for “five more gift cards,” referring to additional payments. Subsequent messages indicated the money came from Medvedchuk.
“There is clear evidence of agreed actions—following specific scenarios—in exchange for defined sums of money,” Heywood said.
Voloshyn also urged Gill to recruit at least “two more” MEPs willing to support these pro-Russian efforts, according to the prosecution.
This marks the first time in UK history that a politician of this level has been convicted of bribery connected to foreign influence operations.
Previously, it was reported that a court in Chișinău sentenced the head of Moldova’s autonomous Gagauzia region, Evghenia Guțul, to seven years in prison for funneling Russian money to the banned Șor Party. This marked a major blow to Moscow’s influence in Moldova.
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