Met Police launch investigations into Jenrick and Reform UK donations

The Metropolitan Police has launched a formal investigation into donations connected to Robert Jenrick's Conservative leadership campaign, after the Electoral Commission referred the case in January. The probe concerns £37,500 that allegedly originated overseas, which is illegal under UK law. Jenrick, now a Reform MP after defecting from the Conservatives, called the allegations "entirely false" and said he has had no contact with the Met. The donations came from the company Spott Fitness, with British businessman Phillip Ullmann later revealing he was behind them. However, the commission examined claims that £37,500 of that money actually came from the US company Innovyz, founded by Gary Klopfenstein, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in 2024. Jenrick's spokesman said the suggestion that he knowingly accepted impermissible donations was "an untrue, politically motivated smear" and that he fully cooperated. Separately, the Met is also investigating a £500,000 donation to Reform UK, with deputy leader Richard Tice describing that probe as a "politically motivated smear campaign". The force confirmed it had launched an investigation following a referral from the Electoral Commission in January concerning donations connected to a political party's leadership campaign. Both investigations remain ongoing.