A former associate of Nigel Farage from UKIP and the Brexit Party has denied allegations of receiving Russian bribes following revelations in a series of WhatsApp messages.
David Coburn, a former UKIP leader in Scotland, was mentioned in communications between Nathan Gill, who was recently sentenced to prison for accepting payments for speeches, and Oleg Voloshyn, reportedly linked to Putin’s security services.
During a public encounter with a BBC journalist outside his residence in rural France, Coburn denied any involvement in illicit payments. WhatsApp exchanges disclosed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) referred to a “David” receiving payments, with one message indicating a $6,500 payment to an MEP identified as “D”.
Gill, who confessed to bribery charges, confirmed the $6,500 payment in the messages. The discussions also mentioned additional payments related to David, believed to be Coburn. Both politicians were part of the Brexit Party at the time, under Farage’s leadership.
The CPS revealed that the conversations discussed a meeting involving pro-Russia TV channels in Ukraine, with Coburn being the only publicly identified individual named “David” on the editorial board.
Coburn, who led UKIP in Scotland from 2014 to 2018 before joining the Brexit Party, distanced himself from any wrongdoing. The WhatsApp messages came to light in 2021 when counter-terror authorities intercepted Gill as he tried to travel to Russia, where the funds originated from a pro-Putin Ukrainian oligarch.
An ongoing Metropolitan Police investigation aims to determine if Gill had accomplices in the bribery scheme. Commander Dominic Murphy emphasized that the inquiry involves other individuals associated with the case.
Farage has faced pressure to probe potential Russian influence within his party but has resisted, citing limitations in conducting investigations independently. A Reform UK spokesperson clarified that Coburn had no affiliation with their party and condemned any illicit actions by him or Gill.
Gill’s actions were strongly condemned as treasonous, with the party expressing satisfaction with the legal consequences he faced.