A former political leader in Wales has been sentenced to 10-and-a-half years in prison for accepting bribes linked to pro-Russian lobbying activities, a case that has raised serious concerns about political integrity and foreign influence in the United Kingdom.
A court in London has found the former leader of Reform UK in Wales guilty of receiving payments in exchange for promoting pro-Russian viewpoints through interviews and speeches. The 52-year-old politician was accused of using his position as a Member of the European Parliament to advance the interests of foreign actors.
During sentencing, the judge said the politician had “abused his position” and undermined public trust in democracy. Police investigations are ongoing to determine whether others were involved.
According to court findings, the payments were made to encourage public support for certain foreign political figures and media outlets. The politician admitted to multiple counts of bribery, which included paid media appearances and speeches delivered in the European Parliament between 2018 and 2019.
Law enforcement officials described the case as part of a broader pattern of attempts by foreign interests to exert influence over European politics.
The sentence marks the first time a British politician has been jailed under the Bribery Act for actions tied to foreign influence.
Reform UK, the party once led by the defendant in Wales, condemned his actions as “reprehensible and unforgivable.” Government officials said the case highlights the need for stronger safeguards against covert influence and corruption in public office.
The convicted politician served as an MEP between 2014 and 2020 and had switched party affiliations during his tenure. He admitted to the charges earlier this year and will now serve his sentence in custody.
Foreign ministers meeting in Istanbul on Friday warned that renewed military strikes on Iran could deepen the regional conflict, urging diplomatic ...
Georgia’s Constitutional Court has extended hearings in a case seeking to ban five opposition parties, with proceedings now set to continue u...
Pakistan and the European Union have agreed to step up counterterrorism cooperation as security concerns over Afghanistan grow and tensions between...
Saudi Aramco has ordered staff to evacuate its headquarters amid escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Two people were killed in an attack on Dammam airport, while Iran's IRGC Navy claimed strikes on seven vessels and warned the U.S. of a wider response.
Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least two people and injured 15 others, including two children, Ukrainian authorities said. Meanwhile, Russia said it had intercepted the vast majority of 630 Ukrainian drones launched towards Moscow.
Russia is willing in principle to resume peace talks with Ukraine and the United States in November, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said after President Vladimir Putin met U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff in St Petersburg.
Super typhoon Champi is set to batter Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture from Friday (23 October), bringing violent winds, torrential rain and waves up to 11 metres high, as airlines cancel flights and organisers scrap a major festival.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Armenian authorities have detained 10 more people in a vote-buying investigation involving the opposition Strong Armenia party, just two days before local elections in the northern town of Stepanavan.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met India’s Minister of External Affairs in Baku for talks on strengthening bilateral relations, with a focus on trade, investment, energy and technology.
Israeli military bulldozers have begun demolishing buildings in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday, 23 October, following armed clashes with Palestinians that left two Israeli soldiers dead, according to the Israeli military.
Greece’s parliament has passed a bill banning under-15s from using social media from 1 January 2027, as the country steps up efforts to protect children online. The new law will require platforms to enforce age restrictions.
France's Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said on Friday that 70,000 security forces would be mobilised throughout the country to keep order on Saturday, adding there have been calls for looting and violence from the ultra-left.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment