Scotland Yard is investigating a donation made to Robert Jenrick’s former campaign to become Tory leader.
The Metropolitan Police is looking into claims that £37,500 given to the senior MP’s war chest originated from a foreign source, in breach of electoral law.
It risks another headache for Reform UK – to which Mr Jenrick defected earlier this year – as party leader Nigel Farage is already being probed by the parliamentary sleaze watchdog over an undeclared £5million gift he received from a crypto tycoon.
Mr Jenrick insisted on Wednesday he had not been contacted by the police over the donation, however, which was made to his leadership campaign rather than to him personally.
He said: ‘These 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.
‘I have had no contact with the Met police whatsoever in connection with this matter.’
During the race to succeed Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader in 2024, Mr Jenrick’s campaign received £100,000 in four tranches from British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann via a company called Spott Fitness.
It was later claimed that £37,500 of the money was impermissible as it originated from US businessman Gary Klopfenstein, who pleaded guilty to investment fraud in 2024.
Scotland Yard is investigating a donation made to Robert Jenrick’s former campaign to become Tory leader, over claims electoral law was breached over a donation from a foreign source
The Electoral Commission began inquiries into the matter last year then contacted the Met earlier, which is now looking into it.
A spokesman for the force said: ‘On Tuesday, 6 January we received a referral from the Electoral Commission concerning donations connected to a leadership campaign.
‘This referral is under review and until it has been completed, we’re not in a position to comment further.’
A spokesman for Mr Jenrick, Reform’s Treasury spokesman, said: ‘The suggestion that Robert knowingly accepted impermissible donations is an untrue, politically motivated smear, put about years later by the Conservatives, despite the fact that Mr Ullmann was introduced to Robert by a Tory MP, and had his donations’ permissibility checked by the party.
‘Robert 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’s donation until he was contacted by the Electoral Commission.
‘He fully cooperated with the Electoral Commission inquiry, providing detailed records that categorically disproved these smears in 2025.’
But Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: ‘The Electoral Commission rightly referred this matter to the Metropolitan Police who are now investigating.
‘The law is crystal clear that foreign donations are illegal, and the true source of a donation must be declared.
‘The Conservative Party, Parliament and the public have been misled by the funnelling of donations. The public deserves the truth about this donation.’
