Minister orders probe into foreign interference in politics

It comes after the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, Nathan Gill, was jailed for 10-and-a-half years after admitting to taking bribes for pro-Russian interviews and speeches.

Announcing the review, Communities Secretary Steve Reed said the government must "learn the lessons" from the case so "this can never happen again".

The review will be led by former senior civil Philip Rycroft and will report back in March.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Reed said: "The facts are clear. A British politician took bribes to further the interests of the Russian regime, a regime which forcefully deported vulnerable Ukrainian children and killed a British citizen on British soil using a deadly nerve agent.

"This conduct is a stain on our democracy. The independent review will work to remove that stain."

The government says the review will conduct an "in-depth assessment of the current financial rules and safeguards and offer recommendations to further mitigate risks from foreign political interference".

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