Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales and ex-Brexit Party MEP, has indicated that he will formally deny accusations of bribery relating to his tenure in the European Parliament.
The 51-year-old businessman faces one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and eight counts of bribery following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism command.
Appearing at the Old Bailey in London on Friday, Gill, dressed in a charcoal grey suit and dark checked tie, sat in the glass-fronted dock for a short hearing. He spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.
Allegations of Corrupt Practices
Mark Heywood KC, representing the prosecution, outlined the case, stating: “The case is one of bribery: there are eight substantive counts. They arise in connection with Mr Gill’s time as an MEP. The essential allegation is that he agreed to receive sums of money in relation to his activities as an MEP.”
Clare Ashcroft, acting in Gill’s defence, indicated that her client would plead not guilty to all charges.
According to court documents, the conspiracy to commit bribery charge alleges that Gill conspired with Oleg Voloshyn, a former Ukrainian politician, and others between January 1st, 2018, and February 1st, 2020.
In February 2023 Voloshyn was formally accused of state treason having allegedly “promoted the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation in subversive activities against Ukraine.”
The prosecution claims that Gill accepted cash payments in return for making statements in the European Parliament and writing opinion pieces that favoured a pro-Russia narrative, particularly concerning events in Ukraine.
The bribery charges specifically relate to alleged payments made between December 6th, 2018, and July 18th, 2019. Prosecutors claim that Voloshyn, acting on at least eight occasions, requested Gill to make particular statements in exchange for financial remuneration.
Gill was initially detained at Manchester Airport on September 13th, 2021, under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. Since then, the case has been under investigation, leading to the formal charges now brought against him.
Political Background and Business Ties
Before entering politics, Gill was a director of several family-run businesses that provided care services to Hull City Council. His political career began with Ukip, under whose banner he was elected as a Member of the European Parliament in 2014. Following the 2016 Brexit referendum, he aligned himself with the Brexit Party, continuing his MEP duties until the UK formally exited the EU in 2020.
Gill has been a well-known figure in Welsh politics, advocating for Brexit and later leading the Welsh arm of Reform UK. His tenure in public office was primarily marked by his firm Eurosceptic stance and his push for the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
At Friday’s hearing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb granted Gill bail under strict conditions. He was required to surrender his passport and prohibited from applying for any other travel documents. Additionally, he was ordered not to make contact with Voloshyn.
The case is set to progress with a plea hearing. Should Gill maintain his not-guilty plea, a three-week trial is expected to commence on June 29th next year, presided over by a High Court judge.
Given the serious nature of the allegations, the trial is likely to attract significant public and political interest, particularly given the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. If convicted, Gill could face a substantial custodial sentence, a stark contrast to his once-prominent role as a leading advocate for Brexit and reformist policies in the UK.
For now, Gill maintains his innocence, and the courts will ultimately determine the validity of the charges against him. Until then, the former MEP’s political career remains overshadowed by this unfolding legal battle.
Main Image: By National Assembly for Wales – https://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalassemblyforwales/28092344641/in/album-72157670691046196/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50031651
