Ex-Reform UK Wales chief accused of taking Russian bribes

The previous chief of Reform UK in Wales has appeared in court docket accused of accepting bribes in change for making statements within the European Parliament that might profit Russia, a court docket has heard.

Nathan Gill, 51, from Llangefni on Anglesey, is going through eight counts of bribery and one rely of conspiracy to commit bribery.

The court docket heard that Mr Gill, who was a UKIP and later a Brexit Occasion MEP between 2014 and 2020, was alleged to have obtained cash from his co-defendant and former Ukrainian politician Oleg Valoshyn.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court docket by video hyperlink on Monday, talking to verify his title, date of start and handle.

The defendant is alleged to have been tasked by Mr Voloshyn on a minimum of eight events to make particular statements in return for cash.

The court docket heard the statements, made within the European Parliament and in opinion items to information shops reminiscent of 112 Ukraine, had been “supportive of a specific narrative” which might “profit Russia concerning occasions in Ukraine”.

A spokesperson for Reform Wales mentioned Mr Gill “isn’t a member of Reform UK”.

A lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) instructed the court docket that Mr Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on 13 September 2021 below anti-terror laws.

His cell phone was seized and proof was discovered that he was in knowledgeable relationship with Mr Valoshyn and had agreed to “obtain or settle for monies in return for him performing actions as an MEP”, the court docket heard.

Barrister Richard Hyperlink for the CPS instructed the court docket that Mr Gill agreed to make statements within the European Parliament for cash, that might “have a tendency to learn Russia in relation to occasions in Ukraine at the moment”.

The Crown mentioned the alleged offences had been carried out throughout Mr Gill’s time as an MEP and earlier than the UK left the European Parliament, on 31 January 2020.

He was an MEP for nearly six years and briefly represented north Wales within the Welsh Parliament.

Mr Gill was first elected as a UKIP MEP in 2014 and joined the Nationwide Meeting, because it was then known as, in 2016.

He was an Meeting Member for simply over a 12 months, earlier than he was changed by Mandy Jones in December 2017.

He served as UKIP’s chief for Wales and was briefly an unbiased earlier than becoming a member of Reform’s predecessor organisation, the Brexit Occasion, in 2019.

The north Wales politician led Reform’s 2021 Welsh Parliament election marketing campaign.

It isn’t clear exactly when Gill ceased being chief of Reform UK Wales, however the job has not existed for a while.

The Crown mentioned expenses had been authorised towards Mr Voloshyn, however he’s not within the jurisdiction.

Mr Gill, of Anglesey, was granted bail on the situation that he give up his passport, is to not acquire worldwide journey paperwork and to not contact Mr Voloshyn.

He is because of seem on the Outdated Bailey on 14 March.