<
https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/nov/01/reform-a-russian-spy-and-the-bribes-the-inside-story-of-nathan-gill>
"The first thing most people recall about Nathan Gill is his imposing height.
At 193cm (6ft 4in), the one-time Reform UK leader in Wales towered over
colleagues and opponents – and he was taller still in his favourite cowboy
boots.
Other than that, the softly-spoken 52-year-old was a largely unremarkable
presence among the more colourful characters in Nigel Farage’s parties.
Until recently, political profiles have dwelt on Gill’s politically quirky
status: the teetotal member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
who bore Ukip’s flag in the Senedd, even if opponents charged that he was often
absent.
Yet his legacy is now a very different and disturbing one. This month he will
be sentenced at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty to taking bribes to make
statements in favour of Russia during his tenure as a member of the European
parliament.
In modern British politics, it is an almost unique fall from grace – perhaps
with parallels to the story of John Stonehouse, the high-flying Labour MP
recruited as a spy for Czech intelligence in the early 60s.
But Gill’s humiliation isn’t just personal. His links to Russia raise awkward
questions for Reform UK, and for its leader, Nigel Farage – Gill was a key
lieutenant of his when they were both in Brussels. While Farage has been trying
to distance himself from Gill, multiple sources who worked with them in
Brussels have told the Guardian that the two men used to be close."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
