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Police Launch Investigation Into Reform UK Donations After Channel 4 Documentary

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Detectives have launched an investigation into allegations that Reform UK broke the law on political donations after an undercover Channel 4 investigation.

Senior Reform officials Dan Jukes and James Orr stood down from the party after the documentary was broadcast last Thursday night.

It appeared to show them discussing with a fake American donor how he could give money to the party.

Under electoral law, all political donors must either be registered to vote in the UK or a company registered in Britain.

In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said they had “assessed the information provided and determined that there are potential offences requiring investigation”.

Detectives are “seeking to obtain relevant footage” from last Thursday’s broadcast.

The statement added: “Detectives continue to liaise closely with the Electoral Commission and Crown Prosecution Service as inquiries progress.”

A Reform spokesman said: “Reform UK denies any wrongdoing and will fully co-operate with the investigation.

“We won’t be commenting further while a live investigation is under way.”

The Met is already investigating whether payments to Reform before the last election broke donation laws.

The probe is examining money given to the party by Fiona Cottrell, who is the mother of longstanding Nigel Farage ally, George Cottrell.

Detectives are also investigating payments from a company controlled by Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice, which received £1m from Fiona Cottrell in June 2024.

Lib Dem Cabinet Office spokesperson Lisa Smart said: “We welcome the Met Police’s criminal inquiry into Reform’s finances, and if proven, Nigel Farage and his cronies should face the full force of the law.

“Every Reform MP urgently needs to state whether they or their campaigns have benefited from any foreign money.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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The Year Of The Pickle: You Can Now Drink Your Favourite Flavour In A Sparkling Drink

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What was once something you interacted with when it was sandwiched between your patty and bun is now everywhere.

From big snack pickles, to picklebacks, the past decade has certainly been the time for pickles to shine.

And now, pickles are dominating the soft drink market, too.

Earlier this year, I had a limited-edition pickle matcha, which blended matcha with lemonade and pickle brine, at Bird & Blend.

And now, pickle sodas seem to be popping up left, right and centre.

Almost certainly not for the pickle protester, these drinks taste (shockingly) as though they’ve been infused with citrusy brine.

Three Cents’ has a slightly more cucumber, vegetal taste to it, and comes in the brand’s classic glass bottle.

Yew’s, on the other hand, tastes exactly like drinking a sparkling version of the liquid straight from the jar.

If you do have a particular penchant for pickles, like me, these drinks are refreshing and quench that need to chomp down an entire jar of the things as a late-night ‘snack’.

Should you be even slightly opposed to a pickle, though, you’ll find yourself making a face like you’ve eaten a sour candy at even the first sip – they’re that precise.

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‘The Politics Of Poison’: Andy Burnham Condemns Anti-Migrant Protests

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Andy Burnham has accused anti-migrant protesters who took to the streets of Dover and Portsmouth at the weekend of representing “the politics of poison”.

The prime minister told a meeting of Labour MPs and peers that the party must “bring hope to a divided country”.

His comments are the strongest yet in response to the demonstrations against asylum seekers crossing the English Channel from France.

Large crowds of masked, black-clad men blocked road access to the Port of Dover on Saturday, in scenes which have been condemned by politicians, including Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

On Sunday night, another protest took place after around 140 migrants in a single dinghy were rescued in the English Channel as it headed for the Hampshire coast.

The protesters, many of them wearing masks, said they were determined to prevent authorities from transporting the migrants to the Manston processing centre in Kent.

They blocked traffic along the road leading away from Eastney Marina, with photos showing police carrying riot shields forming a line and protecting a number of coaches that were parked up.

Addressing a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), Burnham said: “There’s a lot at stake and it requires us to counter fear with positivity and hope. We have a responsibility in the times that we’re living in. It’s a solemn responsibility to prevent the politics of poison seeping into our streets.

“We are here to speak to the politics of hope and of positivity.”

He added: “We have to fulfil our historic mission all over again and bring hope to a divided country. To lift people and make them feel that things are possible. That we can make people’s lives better. Make them feel that politics can work.

“We can give people a sense of positivity again. We can change this country for the better. Never accept the narrative that there’s nothing we can do.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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This Year’s Great British Bake Off Cast Has Been Unveiled – Here’s Everything You Need To Know

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The Great British Bake Off casting team has knocked it out of the park once again.

With just two weeks to go until the tent reopens for another season – with new judge Nigella Lawson at the helm for the first time – Channel 4 has introduced us to the 12 new contestants, and they’re as eclectic a bunch as ever.

Among them are a Bhangra-dancing paediatric doctor, a former-podium-dancer-turned-advertising-exec, an aspiring competitive sprinter and a polyamorous drag king.

In other words, yes, there are plenty of different flavours in the mix this time around.

Get to know the 12 new bakers being put through their paces by Paul and Nigella, ahead of the show’s return later this month…

Clara

Patch Dolan/Channel 4

From: Hertfordshire

Occupation: Marketing graduate

Interesting fact: Originally hailing from Aveiro, Portugal, Clara is an animal lover, who says she’s happiest around her pets Gigi the spaniel and Pecan the hedgehog.

Connie

Patch Dolan

From: London

Occupation: NHS hospital discharge lead

Interesting fact: In addition to her decades-spanning career in the NHS, Connie and her music teacher husband run a music centre in London.

Danni

Danni
Danni

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From: Dorset

Occupation: HGB service centre administrator

Interesting fact: Danni is a tech enthusiast who tinkers with web design and game development, and says their bakes are often inspired by the worlds of video games, fantasy and animation.

Gabe

Patch Dolan

From: West Midlands

Occupation: Artist and drag king

Interesting fact: Those on the Birmingham drag scene might be familiar with Gabe’s drag king alter-ego Blü Romantic. A creative force, they’re also a costume designer, theatre producer and keen gardener, who moved from Grimsby to the West Midlands, where they now live with partners Ellis and Tyler, and their two sausage dogs, Dill and Sage.

Gary

Patch Dolan

From: Nottinghamshire

Occupation: Retired garment technologist

Interesting fact: Gary discovered baking late in life, just five years ago, and is another animal lover, who looks after sheep, horses, chickens and miniature pygmy goats and Shetland ponies, among others. A prostate cancer survivor, he is keen to raise awareness of the condition, as well as taking part in fundraising.

Molly

Patch Dolan

From: London

Occupation: Accessibility co-ordinator

Interesting fact: Molly says her love of baking helped her through a difficult period in her health back in 2020. A cross-stitcher and F1 lover, she is currently mixing these two hobbies with a 350,000-stich landscape of Rivendell.

Moyin

Patch Dolan

From: Essex

Occupation: Political economy student

Interesting fact: Moyin has been baking since the age of five, and is a competitive sprinter, having previously been crowned the under-20s County Champion in the 100m.

Mo

Patch Dolan

From: West Midlands

Occupation: Law student

Interesting fact: Mo says we need to prepare ourselves for his “chaotic and random” personality when he steps into the tent, and has been fascinated by baking ever since discovering Play-Doh at the age of three.

Nikki

Patch Dolan

From: London

Occupation: Advertising post-producer

Interesting fact: A former podium dancer at Basingstone’s Ziggy’s Night Club in the 90s, Nikki says her bakes are often inspired by the music she’s listening to at the time, whether that’s “nostalgic R&B” or more classical pieces.

Shannon

Patch Dolan

From: Gloucestershire

Occupation: Project planner

Interesting fact: Shannon’s biggest love is the great outdoors and nature, which includes her two dogs and pet tortoise. She says she wants to bring “forest magic” to the tent – and once rode a horse through a fast food drive-through.

Tom

Patch Dolan

From: West Yorkshire

Occupation: Hairdresser

Interesting fact: Tom fell in love with baking at a child, preferring to spend time honing his skills with his Nan while the rest of his family were at football matches. He recently completed a seven-month travelling stint around South-East Asia, and describes himself as a bit of an over-sharer. Consider us sat.

Yannis

Patch Dolan

From: London

Occupation: Doctor

Interesting fact: Born in Vienna before moving to the UK as a child, he says watching Bake Off helped him hone his English skills, and is also a Bhangra dancer.

The Great British Bake Off returns on Tuesday 22 September at 8pm.

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Suffering With Menopause Bladder Leaks? This Daily Supplement Is A Game-Changer

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Finally, we’re starting to get real about menopause. It might have happened to women and people with vulvas for, well, ever but it’s only been over the last few decades that we’ve started to open up about what that actually means.

There’s still one criminally under-discussed aspect of menopause we think is due for a revisiting: bladder leaks.

It might be embarrassing, but around half of women experience urinary incontinence during menopause.

During this time, a decrease in oestrogen results in thinning of the urethra wall, as well as your pelvic floor muscles becoming weaker.

At the same time, bladder elasticity declines as you might gain weight, which could cause the pelvic floor muscles to become weaker, and you to need to pee more regularly.

No one wants to be caught short, and while there are exercises you can do if you want to reduce the likelihood of having to run to the nearest toilet at a moment’s notice (see: my round-up of the best pelvic floor trainers) we don’t need another form of exercise to add to ours lives that we won’t do.

So I’ve found an easier solution: Jude Bladder Care Supplements.

Say goodbye to bulky menopause pads forever, because this supplement is designed specifically to improve bladder health for women going through menopause.

Formulated with pumpkin seed extract, soy germ extract, vitamins B and D, and rosemary and sage extract, the supplements are a research-backed solution to improved bladder confidence.

And it’s not just another supplement that won’t work: after just 12 weeks of taking the supplement, 77% say they feel more in control, while 90% say they feel less held back by their bladder.

Emma Skeates, author of Confessions of The Menopausal Mayhem Mother, tried Jude. She says: “For about three years into my menopause I was wearing big bulky pads, because every time I laughed or I sneezed, there was leakage.

“Since taking Jude, I don’t have to worry about that anymore. I can now laugh, wherever I want, worry free!”

But she’s not the only one: Jude currently has over 3,500 five-star Trustpilot reviews, as well as 1,200 on its website – and we can see why.

A 12-week subscription comes in at £75, or less than £0.83 per day (which is nothing when you really think about it). That’s not all: we’ve bagged HuffPost readers 20% off with the code BABY20.

That means better bladder health in 12 weeks for just £60. Run, don’t walk!

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Exclusive: Why Jamaica Is Filing A Petition For Slavery Reparations With The King Now

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The government of Jamaica is filing a petition calling for slavery reparations to coincide with a particularly horrific chapter from the country’s past, a minister told HuffPost UK.

Jamaica’s culture, gender, entertainment and sports minister Olivia Grange is in Britain to ask King Charles, as Jamaica’s head of state, to refer three specific questions to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

That includes whether the seizure of Africans, their forced transportation to Jamaica and their chattel enslavement was ever lawful under English law, whether it is a breach of international law, and if the UK has a legal obligation to offer a reparatory remedy.

Grange said: “This is an unprecedented and historic moment in the global fight for reparatory justice.”

However, the UK has previously rejected calls for slavery reparations.

In 2024, Keir Starmer’s government insisted the UK would not pay reparations for the part it played in the transatlantic slave trade, with some estimates putting the potential bill at £18 trillion.

Yet Grange told HuffPost UK: “We are not focused on monetary value at this time. We are focused on getting answers to the questions we have asked. And then we will determine next steps.”

Asked why the petition is being filed now, after Britain’s previous rejections, Grange said it was to honour the 245th anniversary of particularly horrendous episode.

She said: “The timing of the petition is to coincide with our reflections on the Zong massacre.

“The Zong massacre happened on the 6th [September].

“There was a Zong slave ship that sailed from West Africa on route to Jamaica. And it carried about 400 Africans, and during that journey, 140 Africans were thrown overboard.

“And the reason for doing so was primarily to claim insurance. Chattel slavery was the most horrendous type of slavery that one could find, and our ancestors were treated as property.

“And so, in Jamaica, when we have observances, a church service is always an important part of what we do. And the service today, the 6th, is the observance of the anniversary when the ship sailed from West Africa.

“And so we thought it’s timely to have the anniversary service and then the next day to file the petition.”

Charles himself has previously spoken up about the injustice of slavery, claiming he in 2024 that he understands the “most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate”.

However, he added said that “none of us can change the past” and called on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHoGM) to find “creative ways to right inequalities” from our shared history.

Grange told HuffPost UK: “I do not want to preempt his Majesty, but what I can say is that Jamaica started this journey many years ago.

“It started with a motion moved in parliament and parliament voted unanimously across political divide that Jamaica should seek reparations and should create a road map on this journey.”

She added: “We have been mandated by the Jamaican parliament to pursue reparation. We have an obligation to do so on behalf of the people of Jamaica.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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‘Stop The Boats’ Balaclava Protests Draws Cross-Party Condemnation

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Politicians from across the political spectrum have criticised the “stop the boats” protests which erupted in Dover this weekend.

Hundreds of masked men gathered in Dover town and at the ferry port to oppose irregular migration, causing a major disruption to the local community.

They gathered in a large group in an intimidating display, and reportedly claimed: “This is our warning.”

Kent Police later confirmed no arrests had been made on, writing on X: “Kent Police responded to a spontaneous protest in Dover during the morning of Saturday 5 September.

“No arrests were made. Traffic is flowing normally, and all involved had dispersed by midday.”

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, welcomed the footage on X, saying: “The time for asking is over.”

One of Robinson’s associates has taken credit for the disruption, though the exact origins of the organised protest remain unclear.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage – who is a vehement opposer to the small boats – slammed the demonstration.

He said: “It is disgusting. Nobody in any political protest, on the left or right, should appear in balaclavas.”

“Nobody feels more strongly about stopping the boats than me,” he told GB News. “But turning up in balaclavas is not the way to do it.”

Labour’s business secretary Jonathan Reynolds also told Sky News he “condemns” such displays.

He said: “I condemn it. Peaceful protest is an essential part of British life but that’s not dressing up in costumes like this and disrupting people’s lives.

“I’d condemn the disruption for local people’s lives as well. But it was resolved. Clearly that’s not something we would want or expect to see on the seas of Britain.”

Asked why Kent Police were not aware it was due to take place, Reynolds said: “I do think our police forces deal with a great deal across British towns and cities.

“These days, people can use modern communications in ways that do make things happen quickly.

“And I think on the whole, the police handle it very well.”

Local Labour MP and former immigration minister Mike Tapp was less sympathetic towards the authorities.

He wrote for the Mirror: “This was clearly organised, yet Kent Police appear to have had little advance warning.

“I will be asking why, whether intelligence was missed, and whether additional officers – including mutual aid from forces such as the Met – can be mobilised quickly enough when Dover is targeted again.”

He also pointed out that small boat arrivals were down 46% this year compared to last year.

He added: “People have every right to protest about immigration. They have every right to demand stronger borders. But intimidating a town in balaclavas and blocking one of Britain’s most important ports? That isn’t the way to do it.”

However, Restore Britain’s leader – Great Yarmouth MP and a former member of Reform – Rupert Lowe appeared to defend the protests.

He said: “Peaceful protest can play an important role, and it must be peaceful. From what I understand, today’s protest was exactly that.

“These are ordinary Brits who are pissed off. I agree. I’m pissed off too.

“It’s easy to insult and abuse these men and women. But it’s more important for politicians to understand their concerns and offer an effective route through the ballot box for them to express that.

“Nobody wants disruption to anybody’s lives, and I urge all participants in any protests to do their best to reduce that. But the Government needs to start listening.”

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‘Straight-Up Racism’: Minister Slams Zia Yusuf Over Attack On Labour Council Leader

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Zia Yusuf was accused of “straight-up racism” by a Labour cabinet minister over the Reform politician’s criticism of a Somali-born council leader.

Sagal Abdi-Wali is among those in the running to stand for the party in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election triggered by Keir Starmer’s resignation as an MP last week.

She is a former child refugee who came to this country 30 years ago.

She became a Labour councillor in 2022, and has been leader of Camden Council in north London since May.

Abdi-Wali is also a close ally to the seat’s last MP, former prime minister Keir Starmer, who resigned last week.

Reform’s home affairs spokesperson Yusuf – whose parents came to the UK from Sri Lanka – hit out at the potential candidate, writing on X: “The front runner being foisted on the people of Holborn by Labour to replace the former Prime Minister Keir Starmer in our Parliament was born in Somalia.

“Do you understand what’s happening?”

When questioned about Yusuf’s post on Sky News’s Sunday Morning programme, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds described it as a “pretty straightforward racism”.

“A potential candidate referenced there, spent decades in this country, huge contribution to her local community so I think that speaks for itself,” he said.

Asked by presenter Jon Sopel if it was “plain racism”, Reynolds said: “Absolutely.”

Reform’s Treasury spokesperson Robert Jenrick rejected the claims Yusuf’s remarks were racist later on the same programme.

He said: “I don’t know this person, so I’m not here to cast aspersions upon her, but I do want people to sit in our parliament who are entirely committed to our country,

“Maybe she is someone who is entirely patriotic and supportive of this country. I would just say, and this is the point I think Zia was making, that is not everyone sadly in our current House of Commons…

“I want people who are solely interested in putting the interests of our country first.”

He continued: “It’s not about whether she’s from Somalia or the United States or wherever.

“I’m saying that if you weren’t born in this country and you stand for parliament, it’s a legitimate question to ask: Where are your loyalties? Are you going to put the interests of Britain first?

“And you would not believe how much time is wasted in the House of Commons debating things that have nothing to do with this country whatsoever, and how many people stand up and make the case for Pakistan or Gaza as if they were representing those places and not their own constituents, and I want that to end.”

Yusuf’s remarks triggered a huge social media storm last week, with Lib Dem leader Ed Davey calling it “racism, straight out of the Trump playbook”.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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‘I Wasn’t Even Listening’: Nigel Farage Comes Up With New Excuse Amid Reform Funding Row

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Nigel Farage has said he “wasn’t even listening” at a meeting he attended with an undercover journalist claiming to be an American donating money to Reform UK.

The party leader has insisted no laws have been broken after a Channel 4 News report showed senior Reform figures discussing how to disguise donations from foreign sources.

Accepting donations from a foreign company, including donations in kind such as polling, could constitute a criminal offence, and the party has been reported to the police.

Two of Farage’s closest aides, Dan Jukes and James Orr, have been suspended by the party pending an internal investigation into the row.

Secretly-recorded footage showed Farage and Jukes having lunch during the recent Clacton by-election with the journalist claiming to be the wealthy American, and another man pretending to be his UK-based son.

The “American” is heard discussing how he paid for polling via his son, and Farage is heard thanking them both.

The Reform leader said the polling was “amazing” and provided “bang for buck”, adding: “It worked. Boom.”

When the discussion turned to a larger donation to Reform, one of the undercover journalists explained that the money would be paid by the US-based father to his son in the UK, who would then pass it on to the party.

Such an arrangement would be illegal under electoral law.

Farage is heard saying “it’s all above board” before later adding: “Thank you. Both of you, thank you.”

But speaking to the BBC on the final day of Reform’s conference in Birmingham, Farage insisted he had not been paying attention to what was being discussed at the lunch.

He said: “I am not a compliance officer. I was in the middle of canvassing in the Clacton by-election. I turn up. I frankly wasn’t even listening.

“ I just asked, “Is it all above board?” I was just there to come and say hello.”

Farage added: “I was told there was a global family office based in London, so the money could have come from Singapore. The money could come from all over the world, you know. Income could have came from all over the world into a family office based in London.

“I know electoral law. I know donation law better than anybody. Frankly [Jukes and Orr] have never been involved in fundraising before and they shouldn’t have been involved directly in fundraising. They should have done basic checks and nobody, nobody should be brought to me, unless they’ve been vetted.”

The row over the Channel 4 report has overshadowed Reform’s annual conference, which had been billed as setting out the party’s plans for its first 100 days in office.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Why People Are Turning To Antihistamines For PMDD – And What GPs Want You To Know

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According to the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders UK (IAPMD UK), around a million people in the UK suffer with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD). PMDD is a more intense version of premenstrual syndrome, characterised by symptoms such as depression, extreme irritability or anger, joint and muscle aches and sharp mood swings, just to name a few.

While we still have a long way to go with awareness, according to Google Trends data, the condition has grown in Google searches since 2024 and this year, the IAMPD was launched, marking it the first charity dedicated to PMDD research in the UK.

According to the NHS, treatments for PMDD can include antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medicines, hormonal treatments such as the pill and talking therapies such as CBT. Anecdotally, increasing my Citalopram prescription by 10mg made a world of difference to my own symptoms.

Strangely, though, according to Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor, people are increasingly suggesting that antihistamines may be the answer to tackling PMDD symptoms.

Why more women are turning to antihistamines for PMDD

Dr Wylie says: “The growing interest in antihistamines for symptoms associated with PMDD reflects a much wider issue in women’s health, rather than a treatment approach currently supported by robust clinical evidence.

“Increasingly, women are sharing experiences online of using medications traditionally prescribed for allergies in the hope of relieving symptoms including anxiety, mood changes, flushing, headaches and fatigue. While some individuals report subjective improvements, there is currently insufficient high-quality evidence to recommend antihistamines.”

However, while there isn’t enough evidence to recommend them, there is some logic as to why people have turned to them and potentially found relief.

Dr Wylie says: “There are plausible biological theories that may help explain why this approach has attracted attention. Sex hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone interact with the immune system and may influence histamine release and mast cell activity in some individuals.

“Histamine can affect blood vessels, the nervous system and inflammatory pathways, prompting researchers to investigate whether these mechanisms could contribute to some symptoms experienced during hormonal fluctuations. However, these are still areas of scientific investigation, and a plausible biological mechanism”

So, should we take antihistamines for PMDD?

Dr Wylie advises speaking to your GP if you think you may have PMDD, saying: “Symptoms attributed to PMDD can sometimes have other causes. Persistent fatigue, headaches, changes in mood, sleep disturbance or palpitations, for example, may warrant assessment rather than being assumed to be hormonal.

“Seeking appropriate medical advice can help ensure that other conditions are considered and that patients are offered treatments with a stronger evidence base.”

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