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Nathan Gill Faces Serious Bribery Charges in Upcoming Trial
The former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill, is scheduled to stand trial next year on serious allegations related to bribery. He is accused of accepting payments to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament.
At 51 years old and residing in Llangefni on Anglesey, Gill has been charged with eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. During a recent hearing at the Old Bailey in London, his defense attorney, Clare Ashcroft, indicated that Gill plans to plead not guilty to all charges.
With a trial date set for June 29, 2026, the legal proceedings will address claims that Gill conspired with former Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn between January 1, 2018, and February 1, 2020. Gill, a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) who served with UKIP and later the Brexit Party from 2014 to 2020, appeared in court where he confirmed his identity but did not provide further statements.
Prosecutors allege that Gill received financial incentives from Voloshyn—who is currently thought to be outside the UK—to produce specific statements that would advance a narrative favorable to Russian interests regarding the ongoing situation in Ukraine. These statements were reportedly made in the European Parliament and in various opinion pieces disseminated in Ukrainian media outlets like 112 Ukraine.
In a prior hearing, it was disclosed that Gill was apprehended at Manchester Airport on September 13, 2021, under anti-terror legislation. Investigating authorities reportedly seized his mobile phone, which contained evidence that suggested Gill had maintained a professional relationship with Voloshyn and had possibly accepted payments for his actions in his capacity as an MEP.
Details from Court Proceedings
During Friday’s proceedings, Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb stressed the need for preparation before the trial could commence, informing Gill that it would not take place immediately. He has been granted conditional bail, during which he must refrain from contacting co-defendant Voloshyn and is prohibited from obtaining international travel documents. Gill confirmed he had surrendered his passport to law enforcement after a previous court session in February.
Gill’s political career began in 2014 when he was elected as a UKIP MEP. He briefly served in the National Assembly of Wales starting in 2016 but was replaced in December 2017. Following his departure from UKIP, he led the Welsh branch of the Brexit Party until he became the leader of Reform’s predecessor organization in 2019, eventually spearheading their campaign during the 2021 Welsh Parliament elections.
While the exact timeline of when Gill relinquished leadership of Reform UK Wales is unclear, official statements indicate he is currently no longer affiliated with the party.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of these charges extend beyond Gill’s career, potentially affecting perceptions of political integrity both in Wales and at the European legislative level.
Source
www.bbc.com