Reform in crisis: How bad is this for the party?

Nigel Farage's party are facing more problems following an undercover investigation.

This is a big deal for Reform UK.

Dan Jukes and James Orr are not names you might have heard of. But within the party they are both huge figures and their dismissal has sent shockwaves through Reform’s leadership this morning.

Senior Reform figures I have spoken to are stunned at the news.

Nigel Farage has described Dan Jukes as “like a son” to him. He is probably Nigel Farage’s closest and most trusted aide.

The pair have worked side by side for a decade - through the Brexit campaign, Ukip, Brexit Party and now Reform UK.

Jukes was involved in everything from party strategy to the stage management of party events. His departure will be a major loss for Reform UK.

James Orr was Reform’s head of policy. He had only been with the party a few years but he was a key figure in policy development and international outreach. He was tasked with giving the party an intellectual edge.

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Their resignations follow an undercover investigation carried out by Verbatim and broadcast by Channel 4 News. In the report, Dan Jukes appears to suggest ways to get around UK electoral law to accept a £500,000 foreign donation.

Last night Reform UK said it denied any wrongdoing. But by this morning, Reform UK said it had launched an investigation and says Dan Jukes and James Orr have stepped aside “pending the outcome of the investigation”.

Dan Jukes has been beside for Nigel Farage for many years Credit: Channel 4 / Verbatim

Lee Anderson, the party chair, went much further in a round of interviews on Friday morning, telling me “they’re not coming back”.

The timing of this couldn’t be worse for Reform UK. All summer the party has faced questions about donations and financial gifts. Its polling lead has been wiped out.

Lee Anderson told me this conference was supposed to be a “reset” moment for Reform UK and admitted the Channel 4 News investigation was a “distraction”.

I understand Nigel Farage was considering his political future this summer before deciding to trigger a by-election in Clacton in the hope it would help him move past questions about party finances. That strategy has failed.

Reform UK is still polling level with Labour and the Conservatives. It runs more than a dozen English councils, has two mayors and thousands of councillors and is able to set the political agenda in Westminster.

But for the first time the party’s future is in question. Without doubt, this is the most challenging period Reform UK has faced as a party. And Nigel Farage will now have to try and turn things around without two of his closest and most important aides.

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