Nathan Gill charged with bribery and conspiracy to commit bribery
Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, is set to stand trial next year over allegations that he accepted bribes to make statements in the European Parliament that favored Russia. The 51-year-old, from Llangefni on Anglesey, faces eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
At a hearing at the Old Bailey in London on Friday, Gill’s defense barrister, Clare Ashcroft, indicated that he intends to plead not guilty. The court scheduled his trial to begin on June 29, 2026.
Allegations of collaboration with Ukrainian politician
Prosecutors allege that between January 1, 2018, and February 1, 2020, Gill conspired with former Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn to make statements in return for financial incentives. Voloshyn, a co-defendant in the case, was a member of Ukraine’s pro-Russian Opposition Platform for Life party. Authorities believe he is not currently in the UK.
Gill stood in the dock on Friday, speaking only to confirm his name and date of birth. The court was told that he was allegedly instructed by Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to deliver specific remarks in exchange for payment. These statements, made in the European Parliament and in media outlets such as 112 Ukraine, were said to promote a narrative beneficial to Russia regarding events in Ukraine.
Arrest and investigation
The case against Gill surfaced after he was stopped at Manchester Airport on September 13, 2021, under anti-terror legislation. Authorities seized his mobile phone, which reportedly contained evidence suggesting he had a professional arrangement with Voloshyn and had agreed to receive payments in exchange for parliamentary activities as an MEP.
Legal proceedings and bail conditions
On Friday, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb confirmed the trial date and set Gill’s next court appearance for July 18, 2025. She acknowledged that the trial would not take place immediately, stating, "There’s a degree of preparation that needs to take place."
Gill was released on conditional bail, with restrictions preventing him from contacting Voloshyn or obtaining international travel documents. He confirmed that he had already surrendered his passport following a previous hearing in February.
Political background
Gill was first elected as a UKIP MEP in 2014 and later became a member of the National Assembly for Wales in 2016. However, he served as an Assembly Member for just over a year before being replaced by Mandy Jones in December 2017.
During his political career, Gill led UKIP in Wales and later joined the Brexit Party in 2019, before becoming a key figure in Reform UK. He spearheaded the party’s campaign for the 2021 Welsh Parliament election, though the leadership position for Reform UK Wales has since been dissolved.
A spokesperson for Reform UK confirmed that Gill is no longer a member of the party. Photo by National Assembly for Wales, Wikimedia commons.