Nigel Farage Faces Mockery Over Russia Investigation Comments

Nigel Farage has been mocked after giving a bizarre reason why will not launch an investigation into claims about Russian links to Reform UK.

He said “I haven’t got a police force” when put on the spot by a journalist on Monday.

Labour has called on Farage to carry out a probe after Nathan Gill, Reform’s former leader in Wales, was jailed after admitting taking bribes from the Kremlin to spout pro-Russia propaganda.

The pair were also members of Ukip together, and there is video footage of Farage praising him.

Asked by ITV News why he has not launched a wider investigation, Farage said: “I haven’t got a police force, I haven’t got access.

“I can’t access your phone message, I can’t access your emails. Unless I can do that, I can’t investigate. You’ve got to have somebody with investigatory powers.”

The journalist then asked what questions he had personally asked Reform officials about the allegations.

He said: “Well, I’ve asked everybody: have you ever taken money you shouldn’t have taken from anybody, and no one said yes.”

Farage added: “I am not a police officer, I cannot access emails or phone messages. I can’t investigate other than asking people. And I would point out to you that this is an embarrassment for Ukip, this is a very minor embarrassment for Reform.”

Labour chair Anna Turley said: “Nigel Farage assured the public his former right-hand man was decent and honest before he was found to have taken pro-Russian bribes. Now he says he’s as sure as he can be that there’s no pro-Kremlin links in Reform UK.

“He was wrong before, and the public can have no confidence in his judgement now.

“Farage must urgently take responsibility for ensuring his Pparty isn’t becoming a vehicle for Putin’s Russia and stop refusing to investigate pro-Russia links in Reform UK.”

Social media users were quick to criticise – and mock – Farage over his answers.