{"id":79475,"date":"2026-07-09T00:54:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:54:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/79475\/"},"modified":"2026-07-09T00:54:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T00:54:25","slug":"police-launch-investigation-into-37500-donation-made-to-robert-jenrick-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/79475\/","title":{"rendered":"Police launch investigation into \u00a337,500 donation made to Robert Jenrick campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Police are investigating a political donation made to Robert Jenrick\u2019s<\/a> campaign to become Conservative leader, The i Paper can reveal.<\/p>\n

The Metropolitan Police<\/a> has been examining claims that a \u00a337,500 donation originated from a foreign donor, following a referral from the Electoral Commission<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The force has now launched an investigation into the allegations. Jenrick has repeatedly denied breaking any electoral laws.<\/p>\n

It is illegal to accept political donations from foreign sources under UK electoral law. Scotland Yard did not state which individuals are under investigation.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tShorts\n\t\t<\/p>\n

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Trump says ceasefire with \u2018cuckoo\u2019 Iran is over \u2013 what happens now?<\/p>\n

The US President\u00a0said the ceasefire with\u00a0Iran\u00a0is over after the two countries traded strikes overnight. Donald Trump said it was \u201ca waste of time\u201d dealing with the Iranians \u2013 calling them \u201csick people\u201d and \u201ccuckoo\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"USDonald Trump has come out swinging at the Nato summit in Ankara, with the Tehran regime and Sir Keir Starmer both on his target list (Photo: Filip Singer\/AFP)<\/p>\n

\nWhat you need to know\n<\/p>\n

\"AnAn aerial image of the latest US strikes on Iran. (Picture: Handout\/Reuters)<\/p>\n

US strikes<\/p>\n

US forces launched a wave of strikes on Iranian targets in response to\u00a0the targeting of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n

Iran fires back<\/p>\n

Iran\u00a0said it had retaliated with strikes against targets in Bahrain and Kuwait.<\/p>\n

\"FILEThe war in the Middle East has sent energy costs spiralling, with strikes on oil and gas facilities such as this Iranian drone attack in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, pushing up wholesale prices (Photo: AP Photo\/Altaf Qadri, File)<\/p>\n

\"FILECaption: FILE PHOTO: A gas flare on an oil production platform in the Soroush oil fields is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Persian Gulf, Iran, July 25, 2005. To match Exclusive OPEC-OIL\/ REUTERS\/Raheb Homavandi\/File Photo\/File Photo
Photographer: Raheb Homavandi
Provider: REUTERS
Source: X01475<\/p>\n

Oil license pulled<\/p>\n

The strikes\u00a0came after Washington also pulled Tehran\u2019s license to sell oil \u2013 issued after the interim ceasefire deal.<\/p>\n

What Trump said<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want to deal with them any more \u2013 they\u2019re scum.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the Nato summit in Turkey, Trump told the media: \u201cI think it [the ceasefire deal] is over.\u201d <\/p>\n

He said the Iranians were \u201cled by sick people and they\u2019re vicious, violent people. And if they had a nuclear weapon, they\u2019d use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ANKARA,Caption: ANKARA, TURKIYE \u2013 JULY 8: US President Donald Trump attends the North Atlantic Council meeting held as part of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 8, 2026. (Photo by Rasit Aydogan\/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Photographer: Anadolu
Provider: Anadolu via Getty Images
Source: Anadolu<\/p>\n

How did Nato respond?<\/p>\n

Sitting alongside Trump, Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte told him: \u201cI think what you did last night was absolutely necessary.\u201d <\/p>\n

Rutte said the US response was needed because \u201cIran\u00a0is basically violating the ceasefire\u201d by targeting tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n

\"U.S.Trump berated Iran\u2019s leaders during a press conference with Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte in Ankara (Photo: Jonathan Ernst\/Reuters)<\/p>\n

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WORLD<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

What happens next<\/p>\n

The initial ceasefire deal reached only secure toll-free passage of the Strait for 60 days, pending the outcome of a final agreement on Iran\u2019s disputed nuclear plans.<\/p>\n

Sir Keir Starmer\u2019s official spokesperson urged the sides to \u201cget back to focusing on the talks\u201d.<\/p>\n

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Analysis<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

1 min read<\/p>\n

HEATWAVE<\/p>\n

The much cheaper alternatives to aircon<\/p>\n

\"TiredCaption: Tired exhausted young woman sitting on floor in front of electric fan, cooling down refreshing during heatwave. Summer heat, Air Conditioner Problems
Photographer: MementoJpeg
Provider: Getty Images
Source: Moment RF<\/p>\n

Fans use up to 50 times less electricity than built-in air conditioning, say experts who advise that they remain a good option for those trying keeping cool in the heat.<\/p>\n

\nThe benefits of fan usage\n<\/p>\n

\"Cute(Photo: Petra Richli\/Getty).<\/p>\n

Price is right<\/p>\n

The cheapest way to keep cool is to buy a fan. These can cost as little as around \u00a320.<\/p>\n

Low energy use<\/p>\n

They only cost between 15p and 31p to run over a 24-hour period \u2013 less than daily aircon costs of between \u00a34.84 and \u00a36.00.<\/p>\n

\"HappyIf your room temperature has not crossed 35\u00b0C, experts are clear that fans are a very cost-effective way to keep cool (Photo: Maria Korneeva\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"AUse a fan to stay cool (Photo: Catherine Falls Commercial\/Getty\/Moment RF)<\/p>\n

Low CO2 emissions<\/p>\n

Their low energy use also means they produce minimal CO2 emissions, according to the Energy Saving Trust.<\/p>\n

Fans vs aircon<\/p>\n

Fans don\u2019t lower the room temperature. But they help keep your body temperature down by creating air movement that helps sweat to evaporate. <\/p>\n

The effect of a fan is intensified if you wet your skin, which mimics the powerful cooling effect of sweat evaporation, without the dehydration of using our\u00a0own sweat.<\/p>\n

\"AAir con units mounted on apartment blocks can be considered an eye sore by some (Photo: David Taljat\/Getty)<\/p>\n

\"SufferingSuffering from summer heat at home, exhausted young woman sitting near electric fan enjoying fresh air, cooling down during heatwave \u2013 stock photo. (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

\"A\u2018Humid heat is harder heat,\u2019 one expert says (Photo: Getty)<\/p>\n

READ THE FULL STORY<\/p>\n

Why it\u2019s worth looking at aircon alternatives<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Tom Bawden<\/p>\n

Science Writer<\/p>\n

Given that most of us live in\u00a0homes not fit for heatwaves, it\u2019s worth exploring the best options for keeping cool and what different devices cost.<\/p>\n

\"DaCaption: Da Ali G Show
(c) Channel 4<\/p>\n

Note to editors: Usage Rights:<\/p>\n

FOR BRITBOX RELATED EDITORIAL USE ONLY.<\/p>\n

IF YOU USE REPRODUCE THIS IMAGE, YOU MUST SPECIFICALLY MENTION THE PROGRAMME IN EDITORIAL COPY AND NOT REPRODUCE SIMPLY TO PROMOTE BRITBOX AS A PLATFORM. THIS IS DUE TO AGREED USAGE RIGHTS BY COPYRIGHT OWNERS.<\/p>\n

This image is under copyright and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes in your print or online publication. This image cannot be syndicated to any other third party.<\/p>\n

BritBox Press Picture Publicity enquiries to iwona.karbowska@itv.com<\/p>\n

TV Still<\/p>\n

Britbox\/ITV<\/p>\n

ENTERTAINMENT<\/p>\n

Sacha Baron Cohen completes filming for new Ali G movie<\/p>\n

The comedian has finished a new film based on the streetwise, shellsuit-wearing character which made him famous.<\/p>\n

What you need to know<\/p>\n

\"ALICaption: ALI G INDAHOUSE \u2013 Ali G unwittingly becomes a pawn in the Chancellor\u2019s plot to overthrow the Prime Minister of Great Britain. However, Ali is embraced by the nation as a voice of the youth, making the PM and his government more popular than ever. BSkyB SEAC
Film still
Copyright: ? 2002 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n

Ali G, a wannabe gangster rapper from west Staines, first appeared as a character on The 11 O\u2019Clock Show.<\/p>\n

A new movie has reportedly completed production, filming in Oxfordshire and the US.<\/p>\n

It is the first film with the character since Ali G Indahouse in 2002.<\/p>\n

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FILM<\/p>\n

4 min read<\/p>\n

Ali G\u2019s famous victims<\/p>\n

Some of the famous people interviewed by Ali G include David Beckham, Donald Trump, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and intellectual Noam Chomsky. <\/p>\n

Ali G spends \u201ca good deal of time in the circus that is America\u201d for the new film, according to The InSneider. But Baron Cohen\u2019s reps have not yet confirmed the project.<\/p>\n

\"TrumpDonald Trump sat down for a chat with an in-character Sacha Baron Cohen. And he was not amused (Photo: Channel 4)<\/p>\n

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OPINION<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

What to expect as second phase of Southport Inquiry begins<\/p>\n

The inquiry into the attack at the Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July 2024 has started its second phase. It will examine how to deal with individuals who pose a risk of extreme violence.<\/p>\n

\"ChairCaption: Chair Sir Adrian Fulford sitting inside the hearing room at Liverpool Town Hall, Liverpool, ahead of publication of the findings of the inquiry into the knife attack by Axel Rudakubana who murdered Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on July 29, 2024. Picture date: Sunday April 12, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire
Photographer: Peter Byrne
Provider: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire
Source: PA<\/p>\n

What you need to know<\/p>\n

Young people \u201cmust be diverted\u201d from the impluses that motivated\u00a0Southport\u00a0killer Axel Rudakubana, said public inquiry chairman Sir Adrian Fulford.<\/p>\n

The inquiry began with a minute\u2019s silence for the victims: Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine; Bebe King, six; and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.<\/p>\n

The second phase will look at the role of the internet and social media in influencing \u201cviolence-fixated individuals\u201d where ideology is not the primary driver.<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

What the inquiry chair says<\/p>\n

All too often, they will be acting entirely alone, having spent endless hours in solitude, relentlessly, online.<\/p>\n

Sir Adrian Fulford said there was a \u201cgrowing challenge from violence-fixated individuals, who all too often are not acting out of an adherence to a particular ideology\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"ChairSir Adrian Fulford will chair the inquiry (Photo: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n

What happens next<\/p>\n

Sir Adrian\u2019s 763-page report for the inquiry\u2019s first phase set out 67 recommendations. The attack \u201ccould and should have been prevented\u201d if public bodies had taken steps to stop murderer Rudakubana, he said. <\/p>\n

The Government has accepted the recommendations for public bodies. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: \u201cWe will do whatever is needed to protect the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

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NEWS<\/p>\n

3 min read<\/p>\n

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CRIME<\/p>\n

2 min read<\/p>\n

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The allegations relate to Jenrick\u2019s 2024 campaign to replace Rishi Sunak as Tory leader. He subsequently defected from the party and joined Reform UK<\/a>, where he is Treasury spokesperson and would be a candidate to become chancellor if Reform was to be in government.<\/p>\n

The police investigation will increase pressure on Nigel Farage\u2019s party,<\/a> which has faced increased scrutiny over its finances.<\/p>\n

While it was previously widely reported that police were reviewing evidence from the elections watchdog, Scotland Yard told The i Paper that it has now opened an investigation, following its assessment.<\/p>\n

A Met Police spokesperson confirmed: \u201cWe have launched an investigation following a referral from the Electoral Commission on Tuesday 6 January concerning donations connected to a political party\u2019s leadership campaign. The investigation remains ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jenrick told The i Paper: \u201cThese allegations are entirely false, but it is no surprise that an Establishment determined to stop Reform from delivering the change that this country so desperately needs would resort to making these demonstrably untrue claims.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have had no contact with the Met Police whatsoever in connection with this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"FileReform leader Nigel Farage has been under pressure over his financial affairs of late (Photo: Stefan Rousseau\/PA)<\/p>\n

The allegations relate to a \u00a3100,000 donation Jenrick\u2019s leadership campaign received from British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann, via a company called Spott Fitness, during his 2024 campaign.<\/p>\n

However, it has been claimed that \u00a337,500 of this amount originated from a US business associate of Ullmann, Gary Klopfenstein, who has subsequently been convicted of fraud. Ullmann and Klopfenstein are now in a legal dispute.<\/p>\n

Detectives will need to navigate conflicting accounts of who knew what and when about the source of the donation. While an investigation has been launched, it may still result in no arrests or charges.<\/p>\n

Jenrick has previously issued firm denials that he breached electoral laws. A spokesperson described the allegations as a \u201cpolitically motivated smear\u201d.<\/p>\n

They said: \u201cMr Ullmann was introduced to Robert by a Tory MP, and had his donations\u2019 permissibility checked by the party.<\/p>\n

\u201cRobert and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws when receiving the donation received from Spott Fitness Ltd in 2024. Mr Jenrick has never met, spoken to, or had any contact with Mr Klopfenstein, nor was he aware of any connection between him and Mr Ullmann\u2019s donation until he was contacted by the Electoral Commission. He fully co-operated with the Electoral Commission inquiry, providing detailed records that categorically disproved these smears in 2025.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dispute between these two businessmen, which seems to be the cause of these claims, has nothing to do with Robert.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the primary responsibility lies with the recipient to check a donation is permissible, the donor must also abide by the law, and must not disguise money from overseas. Scotland Yard has not stated whether its investigation refers to any specific individual.<\/p>\n

Both the donor and recipient of an unlawful political donation can face action for breaches of electoral law.<\/p>\n

Ullmann claims he repeatedly warned that some of the money was being supplied by Klopfenstein, according to legal correspondence seen by this newspaper.<\/p>\n

Jenrick has told The i Paper that these allegations are \u201clies\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Conservative Party\u2019s position is that all leadership candidates were reminded of the law on permissible donations, including from overseas sources.<\/p>\n

While a check was carried out on Spott Fitness by the Tories to ensure it was UK-trading and UK-registered, the party claims it was not told that any donations were coming from the US.<\/p>\n

Ullmann has previously said through his spokesperson that Spott Fitness provided all the information required, and has claimed that Jenrick \u201cdid not reject any part of the donation or ask our clients not to assist in collecting money from Mr Klopfenstein\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Electoral Commission is believed to have been investigating whether Jenrick\u2019s campaign had failed to return a potentially impermissible donation, and whether the donor had disclosed sufficient information about the source of a donation.<\/p>\n

Ullmann claims to have discussed Klopfenstein\u2019s conviction at a meeting with the Tory MP and a political aide at the Conservative Party conference in the autumn of 2024, according to legal correspondence. Jenrick says this is untrue.<\/p>\n

In the US, Klopfenstein pleaded guilty to fraud in 2024, after an unrelated FBI investigation into an investment scheme. Klopfenstein admitted using investors\u2019 money to pay his personal expenses and invest in a real estate project, according to the US Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n

Party leadership under scrutiny <\/p>\n

Farage is facing two parliamentary inquiries<\/a> after it emerged he accepted an undeclared \u00a35m gift from a British-born, Thailand-based crypto billionaire, and did not declare benefits provided by an ally, George Cottrell, once convicted of fraud in the US.<\/p>\n

The Reform leader maintains he has broken no rules in relation to the \u00a35m gift, because he received it before he became an MP, and needs it to pay for his personal security. Parliamentary rules state that new MPs must register \u201call their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election within one month of their election\u201d.<\/p>\n

The rules say \u201cpurely personal gifts or benefits\u201d from family or commercial loans would not normally have to be registered.<\/p>\n

Farage described reports in The Sunday Times of financial support from Cottrell as \u201cwholly inaccurate\u201d.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday Farage resigned as an MP following scrutiny over his finances, triggering a by-election, where he will stand as a candidate. He described it as a \u201cpeople versus the Establishment by-election\u201d, adding that the \u201cpeople of Clacton should be the judges of my actions\u201d.<\/p>\n

All mainstream parties are boycotting the by-election, with Labour and the Conservatives criticising it as a \u201cgimmick\u201d to distract from scrutiny and a sign Farage is \u201ccracking under the pressure\u201d.<\/p>\n

Reform\u2019s deputy leader, Richard Tice, has also faced scrutiny from the National Crime Agency (NCA) over payments made to his own organisations, including his company Tisun Investment and a think-tank owned by him \u2013 Britain Means Business, according to The Guardian. Tice has asked the NCA to investigate whether the body is responsible for leaking his private financial information.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission said: \u201cWe have been investigating donations connected to a 2024 leadership campaign. Evidence of potential offences outside our remit was referred to the Metropolitan Police Service on 6 January 2026. Our investigation is paused pending their investigation into this matter.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t discuss the details of our investigations and cannot comment further at this stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reform UK declined to comment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Police are investigating a political donation made to Robert Jenrick\u2019s campaign to become Conservative leader, The i Paper…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":79476,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4],"tags":[3724,35373,35374,554,433,408,1370,5,6],"class_list":["post-79475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-uk","tag-conservative-party","tag-donations","tag-electoral-commission","tag-metropolitan-police","tag-politics-exclusive","tag-reform-uk","tag-robert-jenrick","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@UnitedKingdom\/116887294185510447","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79475"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79475\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}