Police are currently investigating a political contribution made to Robert Jenrick’s Tory leadership bid in 2024. The Metropolitan Police is exploring allegations that a donation to the campaign was sourced from a foreign donor, which violates UK election regulations. Mr. Jenrick has refuted these claims, stating they are entirely untrue.
The former Tory minister, who switched to Reform UK earlier this year, competed for the Conservative Party leadership in 2024 against Rishi Sunak, ultimately losing to Kemi Badenoch. The accusations revolve around a £100,000 donation to Jenrick’s campaign from UK company Spott Fitness, with approximately £37,000 believed to have originated from a US associate of Ullmann, Gary Klopfenstein, who was later convicted of fraud.
In response to reports that the Electoral Commission was looking into the donation, Labour urged Jenrick’s campaign to return the alleged funds from Klopfenstein in April. The Guardian disclosed that the electoral watchdog had forwarded evidence to the police.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed an ongoing investigation following a referral from the Electoral Commission regarding donations linked to a political party’s leadership campaign. The specific individual related to the probe has not been disclosed by the police.
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake emphasized the illegality of foreign donations under UK law and the importance of transparency in revealing the true source of contributions. Jenrick dismissed the claims against him as false and suggested they were politically driven to impede Reform’s efforts for change.
Jenrick’s spokesperson denied any intentional acceptance of impermissible donations, asserting that the campaign adhered to electoral laws when receiving the funds from Spott Fitness in 2024. They clarified that Jenrick had no knowledge of the connection between Klopfenstein and the donation until contacted by the Electoral Commission and fully cooperated with the inquiry.
The Electoral Commission indicated that they had been investigating donations tied to a 2024 leadership campaign and had referred potential offenses to the Metropolitan Police on January 6, 2026. Their investigation is on hold pending the police’s inquiry into the matter, with no further details disclosed at this stage.
