POLICE INVESTIGATE £37,500 DONATION TO JENRICK LEADERSHIP CAMPAIGN

Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into £37,500 of donations received by Robert Jenrick during his 2024 campaign to become Conservative leader, following a referral from the Electoral Commission on 6 January. The force confirmed the inquiry on Wednesday after The Guardian reported in April that officers were assessing evidence concerning the donations. Jenrick, who has since joined Reform UK, stated the allegations are "entirely false" and claimed he has had no contact with the Metropolitan Police regarding the matter. The Electoral Commission had been investigating whether the funds breached electoral rules by originating from a foreign source.

According to reporting, the Electoral Commission received allegations that £37,500 of £100,000 in donations from UK-based company The Spott Fitness ultimately came from US businessman Gary Klopfenstein via his company Innovyz USA. Electoral law prohibits foreign companies and individuals from donating to UK politicians or parties. The exact scope of the police investigation remains unclear, and officers have not confirmed whether it concerns any specific individual. Jenrick has previously stated that he and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws and that he had no knowledge of Klopfenstein's involvement.

The inquiry coincides with separate allegations about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage's political financing, placing scrutiny on the party's funding practices. Jenrick said the allegations represent an attempt by "an establishment determined to stop Reform from delivering the change that this country so desperately needs" from making "demonstrably untrue claims". The Metropolitan Police said the investigation remains ongoing.