Police to review complaint over Farage’s free energy bills competition
Manchester Police are investigating a complaint about a competition for free energy bills due to allegations Reform UK breached electoral law.
Reform England leader Nigel Farage said on Friday that he was “not the slightest concerned” that the party had not broken the law when he and Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick presented a check for £1,758 to a raffle-winning couple in a video published on X.
The complaint came as a result of potentially ongoing competition during the purdah period for the local election campaign. There are also complaints that Mr Farage recognizes winners who are party members.
Greater Manchester Police said in a statement on Friday that it had received a report about the contest and officers were “currently investigating the matter”. However, it was not disclosed what the possible crime was.
MP Karl Turner, now suspended from the Labor Party, said: Sky News For local governments, reform competition can be considered “therapeutic” if it takes place in the pre-election period that starts on March 30.
Reform’s free energy bills contest ran from March 17 to March 31, and the winners were announced on April 9.
In a statement, the Electoral Commission said: “Some activities designed to encourage voter behavior, including bribery and extortion, may be considered criminal offences.
“It is the duty of the police to consider the facts of the allegations made against them to determine whether an offense has been committed. Any allegations must be reported directly to the police.”
Concerns had already been raised about the way the party collects and uses data, but Reform UK said the draw had been approved by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Party sources said a large number of members participated in the contest, so it was no surprise that one supporter won, and there was video evidence that the random draw was for legal purposes. It appears that the giveaway is open to both members and non-members.
The victorious couple were members of the party described as “loyal supporters”.
