Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK Wales and a one-time Member of the European Parliament, was intercepted by police at Manchester Airport in 2021 as he prepared to board a flight to Russia. His arrest and the subsequent seizure of his phone ultimately led to his conviction on Friday and a 10-and-a-half-year prison sentence for accepting bribes. During his interrogation, detectives simultaneously raided his home in Anglesey, where they discovered additional electronic devices and cash stockpiles totaling €5,000 (£4,400) and $5,000 (£3,800), respectively, reports The WP Times with reference to the Sky News.
The evidence retrieved from Gill's seized phone proved to be conclusive, revealing that he maintained contact with a pro-Russian politician in Ukraine, Oleg Voloshyn. Gill had entered into an agreement to promote pro-Russia narratives and viewpoints in exchange for monetary payments. Voloshyn would reportedly dictate the exact statement, which Gill would then reiterate—in some cases, nearly verbatim—across media platforms or within the European Parliament.
In one documented instance, Gill appeared on the now-banned Ukrainian television channel, 112 Ukraine, a media outlet known for its pro-Russian alignment. During this interview, Gill voiced strong criticism of the Ukrainian government's decision to initiate criminal proceedings against Viktor Medvedchuk, the channel's owner and a known personal friend of Vladimir Putin.
Speaking to the outlet, the former MEP claimed he was "very concerned" about the investigation and speculated whether its true intent was to silence "opposition politicians." Prosecutors confirmed that messages found on Gill’s phone clearly indicated this media appearance and statement were made at the explicit instruction of his paymaster. Voloshyn was recorded offering Gill a specific "reward" if he would publicly state that it was unacceptable to persecute an individual for their political convictions.
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