The former Reform UK leader in Wales has stated that he will deny making pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament in exchange for money. Nathan Gill, 51, was charged with one count of conspiracy to conduct bribery under the Criminal Law Act 1977 and eight counts of bribery under the Bribery Act of 2010. He allegedly made statements in the European Parliament and in opinion articles to news sites, such as 112 Ukraine, that were “supportive of a particular narrative” and would “benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine”.

It is claimed that Gill, who was an MEP for nearly six years and a member of the Welsh parliament, the Senedd, from 2016 to 2017, was urged by former Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn to make specific statements regarding Russia in exchange for money on at least eight times. Gill, of Anglesey, north Wales, appeared for a preliminary hearing at the Old Bailey on Friday before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, and his counsel, Clare Ashcroft, indicated that he would deny the charges against him but wanted not to be asked to enter pleas just yet. Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC informed the court that the accusations connected to the defendant’s period as a member of the European Parliament, and that charges had been authorized against his suspected co-conspirator Voloshyn, who is believed to be out of the jurisdiction.

Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb scheduled a plea hearing for July 18, as well as a provisional trial before a High Court judge at the Old Bailey beginning June 29, 2026. Gill stood in the dock dressed in a blue striped tie and a grey suit. He simply spoke to affirm his identify at the hearing.

Mrs. Justice Cheema-Grubb addressed the defendant at the end of the session, saying, “I’m going to release you on bail under the same conditions as before.” He is granted bail on the condition that he surrender his passport, does not obtain international travel documents, and does not contact Voloshyn. The conspiracy to conduct bribery indictment stems from allegations that Gill colluded with Voloshyn and “others” between January 1, 2018, and February 1, 2020

It claims he accepted “quantities of money in cash” for “improper performance by him of his function or activity as the holder” of a position as an MEP. The other bribery offenses are alleged to have occurred between December 6, 2018 and July 18, 2019. Gill was previously a member of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), commanding the party’s Welsh wing from 2014 to 2016.

He left UKIP in 2019, joining Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party (later Reform UK) and was elected as a Brexit Party MEP. Gill was announced as Reform UK Wales’ leader in 2021, before of the Senedd elections, although rumors say he left the party months later after failing to secure a seat. A spokeswoman for Reform UK Wales earlier announced Gill’s resignation and stated that the party will make no further comment. Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on September 13, 2021, under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. The Crown Prosecution Service stated that charges have been authorized against Voloshyn, but he is not within the jurisdiction.