Nathan Gill, a former Reform UK MEP, was jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery for accepting about $52,000 between Dec. 6, 2018 and July 18, 2019 to promote pro‑Russian positions. Investigators say the payments were routed from Oleg Voloshyn, an alleged Russian asset believed to be in Moscow, and the case was opened after a U.S. tip in 2021. Police found messages on Gill's phone and large sums of cash during searches; officials described the conduct as a profound betrayal of public trust.
Former MEP Nathan Gill sentenced to 10 years for accepting Russian‑linked bribes
Nathan Gill, a former Reform UK MEP, was jailed for 10 years after pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery for accepting about $52,000 between Dec. 6, 2018 and July 18, 2019 to promote pro‑Russian positions. Investigators say the payments were routed from Oleg Voloshyn, an alleged Russian asset believed to be in Moscow, and the case was opened after a U.S. tip in 2021. Police found messages on Gill's phone and large sums of cash during searches; officials described the conduct as a profound betrayal of public trust.
08:56 AM, 11/22/2025Politics
Former Reform UK Member of the European Parliament Nathan Gill was sentenced to 10 years in prison after admitting he accepted payments in exchange for making pro‑Russian statements while serving as an MEP.
Conviction and sentence
Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery for conduct that prosecutors say took place between Dec. 6, 2018, and July 18, 2019. Authorities estimate he received roughly $52,000, and they have warned the total sum may have been higher.
Source of payments and investigation
Investigators say the funds were routed from Oleg Voloshyn, who is described by authorities as an alleged Russian asset believed to be in Moscow and currently under investigation. The inquiry began after a tip to U.S. authorities; agents searched Voloshyn's phone during a 2021 visit to the United States, prompting further probes.
Police prepared to search Gill's home on Sept. 13, 2021, but learned he was leaving the country. Officers stopped him at Manchester Airport and discovered messages between Gill and Voloshyn on his phone. A simultaneous search of Gill's residence uncovered large sums of cash.
Nature of the conduct
Prosecutors said the statements Gill made in the European Parliament and in media appearances supported positions favorable to Russia on the issue of Ukraine before Russia's 2022 invasion. Gill has not provided a public explanation for his actions; investigators say financial gain was the motive.
Official responses
Bethan David, head of counter terrorism at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "When you say what someone has paid you to say, you are not speaking with sincerity. If it was your genuine opinion, you would not need to be paid for saying it."
She added: "Allowing money to corrupt your moral compass constitutes a grave betrayal of the trust vested in you by the electorate. Your misconduct has ramifications beyond personal honor, which is now irretrievably damaged."
Commander Dominic Murphy of the Metropolitan Police described Gill as an "extraordinarily willing participant" who "knew full well what he was doing and who he was doing it for," and said the conviction should send a clear message to any official asked to act on behalf of another government for payment.
Dan Jarvis, Minister of State for Security, said Gill had used a "privileged position in public office" to advance another country's interests and called the conduct "a betrayal of our country, our people, and our national security."
Political fallout
Reform UK, Gill's former party, condemned his actions, calling them "reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable," and welcomed the sentence. Gill had briefly served as the party's leader in Wales before resigning in 2021.
Authorities said they are continuing to work with international partners to determine whether other individuals were involved.