The previous chief of Reform UK in Wales has indicated he’ll deny costs of constructing beneficial statements about Russia within the European Parliament in trade for bribes.
Nathan Gill, 51, had been charged with one depend of conspiracy to commit bribery beneath the Felony Legislation Act 1977, and with eight counts of bribery beneath the Bribery Act, 2010.
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It’s alleged that Gill – who was an MEP for nearly six years and a member of the Welsh parliament, the Senedd, between 2016 and 2017 – was requested by former Ukrainian politician Oleg Voloshyn to make particular statements about Russia in return for cash on no less than eight events.
On Friday, Gill, of Anglesey, north Wales, appeared for a preliminary listening to on the Previous Bailey earlier than Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb, and his lawyer, Clare Ashcroft, indicated he would deny the fees in opposition to him, however requested that he not be requested to formally enter pleas but.
Prosecutor Mark Heywood KC advised the courtroom the fees associated to the defendant’s time as a member of the European Parliament, and mentioned that costs had been authorised in opposition to his alleged co-conspirator Voloshyn, who’s believed to be out of the jurisdiction.
A plea listening to was set by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb for 18 July, and a provisional trial earlier than a Excessive Courtroom decide from 29 June 2026 on the Previous Bailey.
Gill stood within the dock carrying a blue striped tie and gray go well with. He spoke solely to substantiate his id through the listening to.
On the finish of the listening to, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb addressed the defendant, telling him: “I’m going to release you on bail on the same conditions as before.”
He’s bailed on the situation that he give up his passport, doesn’t get hold of worldwide journey paperwork and doesn’t contact Voloshyn.
The conspiracy to commit bribery cost pertains to allegations that Gill conspired with Voloshyn and “others” between 1 January 2018 and 1 February 2020.
It claims he accepted “quantities of money in cash” which was “improper performance by him of his function or activity as the holder” of a place as an MEP.
The opposite bribery offences are alleged to have taken place between 6 December 2018 and 18 July 2019.
Gill was beforehand a member of the UK Independence Social gathering (UKIP), main the Welsh wing of the occasion between 2014 and 2016.
He left UKIP in 2019, and the identical 12 months he joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Social gathering – later Reform UK – and was elected as a Brexit Social gathering MEP.
Gill was confirmed as chief of Reform UK Wales in 2021 forward of Senedd elections, however stories counsel he left the occasion months later when he did not win a seat.
A spokesperson for Reform UK Wales beforehand confirmed Gill was now not a member, and mentioned the occasion wouldn’t be commenting.
Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on 13 September 2021 beneath the Counter Terrorism and Border Safety Act 2019.
The Crown Prosecution Service mentioned costs have been authorised in opposition to Voloshyn, however he isn’t within the jurisdiction.
