How an Undercover Sting Blew Up Reform UK's Conference

Reform’s 2026 conference has begun in Birmingham under a massive cloud after a Channel 4 documentary revealed allegations of an attempt to circumvent the rules on foreign donations — prompting Nigel Farage to turn on two of his closest aides, Dan Jukes and James Orr. The extraordinary fallout has overshadowed Farage’s big migration announcement with Jordan Bardella, the French presidential hopeful and leader of the National Rally. But can Farage really draw a line under the scandal? And with Reform promising to stop small boats within 100 days, is this the beginning of a new, more conventional Reform, or just another chapter in its turbulent rise? Steven Swinford, political editor, The Times Ben Riley-Smith, political editor, The Sunday Times Lara Spirit, deputy political editor, The Sunday Times Patrick Maguire, chief political commentator, The Times Producers: Euan Dawtrey, Harry Kitson Executive producer: Molly Guinness Picture: Getty Images Read the best of our journalism: https://www.thetimes.com/ Subscribe to The Times and The Sunday Times YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_... Find us on Facebook:   / timesandsundaytimes   Find us on X: https://x.com/thetimes Find us on Instagram:   / thetimes