Ex-Reform Welsh leader bribe scandal: Steps needed to stop Russian influence in politics – Plaid Cymru MP
Llinos Medi asks UK Government to outline its actions after revelations that Nathan Gill, ex-Reform UK leader in Wales, accepted bribes from Russian operatives
Plaid Cymru MP for Ynys Môn, Llinos Medi, has challenged the UK Government to set out what steps it is taking to ensure Russian networks cannot continue to influence UK politics, after Nathan Gill, the former Reform UK leader in Wales, pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from Russian sources.
Mr Gill, an Ynys Môn constituent, was stopped by police on 13 September 2021 at Manchester airport under schedule 3 of the Counter Terrorism and Borders Security Act, 2019. On 26 September 2025, the former Reform leader in Wales, and former MEP, pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery, after an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing uncovered how he received payment in return for making statements which supported the presence of pro-Russian media outlets in Ukraine.
Journalist Carole Cadwalladr has recently highlighted that the Kremlin-linked network who bribed Nathan Gill had also been in contact with at least two other Members of the European Parliament, and a member of the House of Lords.
Ms Medi sought assurances that the UK Government was taking steps to stop the influence of Russia in UK politics.
Speaking in the House of Commons during an Urgent Question on the China spy case, and standing in front of Reform Deputy Leader Richard Tice MP and Reform Chief Whip Lee Anderson MP, Ms Medi said:
“I’d like to ask a question to the Minister about another case of foreign interference in our politics.
“Nathan Gill, former Reform leader in Wales – a constituent of mine – pleaded guilty to accepting bribes from Russia. He was stopped by police in September 2021 but only charged in February this year.
“Reports now suggest the Kremlin operation targeted not only him, but at least two other Members of the European Parliament, and a member of the House of Lords.
“What steps is the Government taking to ensure that Russian networks cannot continue to influence UK politics?”
The Home Office Minister, Dan Jarvis MP, responded
“I think she raises a very important case that will be a matter of concern to Members right across the House. I can give her an assurance that we take these matters very seriously and specifically with regard to the point that she makes about Russia – I can absolutely give her the assurances that she seeks that we work incredibly hard alongside our allies to make sure that we’re doing everything that we can to combat the threat that we all know we face from Russia.”