𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Richard Tice hit back at Sir Keir Starmer in a row over pro-Russia claims about Reform UK. Speaking in the Commons, the Prime Minister demanded that Nigel Farage’s insurgent party holds a probe into how former leader in Wales had taken bribes from the Kremlin.

Nathan Gill was jailed for 10 and a half years last week after he admitted being paid £40,000 to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament. Sir Keir said: “It is shocking that a senior official, the leader in Wales, has been jailed for over 10 years – a very significant sentence – for pro-Russia bribes.

“That is extraordinary. Reform leadership should have the courage to launch an investigation. How on earth did that happen in their party? And what other links are there?”

He later said if Reform had nothing to hide, they should be happy to investigate.

Reform’s deputy leader heckled the Prime Minister, saying he was “talking nonsense” and “absolute twaddle” as the Labour leader said Reform would not bring allies together in support of Ukraine.

In his response, Mr Tice said: “May I remind the House that last year I personally donated a five-figure sum, bought a pickup truck, filled it with first aid supplies, and drove it with other friends and colleagues to Ukraine, and donated it to the brave soldiers of Ukraine.

“So my support, and Reform’s support for Ukraine has been rock solid Prime Minister, throughout.”

The Reform deputy leader urged the Government to leverage the power European nations have to put pressure on “vile dictator” Vladimir Putin.

Sir Keir replied: “He could have stood up and said that Reform has seen sense and decided they will have an investigation in relation to what happened in this bribery case.

“I don’t doubt that he drove and personally committed in relation to support, but the simple fact is this, you can’t be pro-Putin and pro-Ukraine, you have to decide between the two, and Reform is pro-Putin, and that is why they undermine.

“They’ve just been convicted, a 10-year sentence for taking pro-Russian bribes.

“It couldn’t be clearer than that, and an unwillingness to say we need to investigate how on earth that happened? Can he not see the inconsistency in what he’s saying?”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch also lashed out at Reform UK during the Commons session.

She said: “It is a disgrace that Reform are still blaming NATO for Russia’s aggression.

“Although perhaps, it should come as no surprise when their former leader in Wales was sent to prison last week for taking bribes from Putin.”