Ex-Reform UK leader in Wales Nathan Gill to deny taking Russian-linked bribes
The former leader of Reform UK in Wales has indicated he will deny charges of making favourable statements about Russia in the European Parliament in exchange for bribes.
Nathan Gill, 51, had been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery under the Criminal Law Act 1977, and with eight counts of bribery under the Bribery Act, 2010.
He allegedly made statements in the European Parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets, such as 112 Ukraine, which were "supportive of a particular narrative" and would "benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine".
It is alleged that Gill - who was an MEP for almost six years and a member of the Welsh parliament, the Senedd, between 2016 and 2017 - was asked by former Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn to make specific statements about Russia in return for money on at least eight occasions.
On Friday, Gill, of Anglesey, north Wales, appeared for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, and his lawyer, Clare Ashcroft, indicated he would deny the charges against him, but asked that he not be asked to formally enter pleas yet.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC told the court the charges related to the defendant's time as a member of the European Parliament, and said that charges had been authorised against his alleged co-conspirator Voloshyn, who is believed to be out of the jurisdiction.
A plea hearing was set by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb for 18 July, and a provisional trial before a High Court judge from 29 June 2026 at the Old Bailey.
Gill stood in the dock wearing a blue striped tie and grey suit. He spoke only to confirm his identity during the hearing.
At the end of the hearing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb addressed the defendant, telling him: "I'm going to release you on bail on the same conditions as before."
He is bailed on the condition that he surrender his passport, does not obtain international travel documents and does not contact Voloshyn.
The conspiracy to commit bribery charge relates to allegations that Gill conspired with Voloshyn and "others" between 1 January 2018 and 1 February 2020.
It claims he accepted "quantities of money in cash" which was "improper performance by him of his function or activity as the holder" of a position as an MEP.
The other bribery offences are alleged to have taken place between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019.
Gill was previously a member of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), leading the Welsh wing of the party between 2014 and 2016.
He left UKIP in 2019, and the same year he joined Nigel Farage's Brexit Party - later Reform UK - and was elected as a Brexit Party MEP.
Gill was confirmed as leader of Reform UK Wales in 2021 ahead of Senedd elections, but reports suggest he left the party months later when he failed to win a seat.
A spokesperson for Reform UK Wales previously confirmed Gill was no longer a member, and said the party would not be commenting.
Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on 13 September 2021 under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.
The Crown Prosecution Service said charges have been authorised against Voloshyn, but he is not in the jurisdiction.
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