Former Reform UK Politician Pleads Guilty to Russia-Linked Bribery, Sparking Treason Debate

Nathan Gill, a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and ex-leader of Reform UK in Wales, pleaded guilty on Friday to eight counts of bribery related to making pro-Russian statements. The 52-year-old admitted to accepting payments between December 2018 and July 2019 for advocating Russian interests, a development that prompted Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat to declare, "There’s a word for this - treason."

Gill was tasked by Ukrainian national Oleg Voloshyn, described by the US government as a "pawn" of Russian secret services, to make specific statements and arrange events in the European Parliament. These actions included defending pro-Russian media channels like 112 Ukraine and NewsOne, and speaking in support of figures such as Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The court heard that Gill's activities were uncovered through WhatsApp messages on his phone, seized in 2021 under counter-terrorism laws.

The former MEP's barrister acknowledged that Gill faces an "inevitable" and "substantial custodial sentence," with sentencing scheduled for November. Dominic Murphy, head of the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command, stated that Gill was "taking payments to peddle narratives" beneficial to Russian interests, underscoring the case's impact on democratic values.

Tom Tugendhat, currently the Shadow Minister for Security, has a long-standing history of advocating for the modernization of the UK's treason laws. He has previously argued that the Treason Act 1351 is outdated and insufficient to address contemporary threats from hostile states and individuals betraying the country. His strong reaction to Gill's plea highlights the ongoing debate about how best to prosecute and punish acts perceived as betrayal against the state.