Former Brexit Party MEP implicated in Nathan Gill messages denies accepting payments from pro-Russian sources

David Coburn, a former politician from Nigel Farages Brexit Party, has strongly denied receiving any payments as part of a pro-Russian influence operation within the European Parliament. Coburns name appears in WhatsApp messages between Nathan Gill, a disgraced former MEP, and Oleg Voloshyn, an individual described as a pawn of Russias main security agency.

Both Coburn and Gill served as MEPs for five years, with Coburn previously leading the UK Independence Party (UKIP) in Scotland and Gill leading UKIP in Wales. The messages emerged following Gills conviction last week, when he was sentenced to ten-and-a-half years in prison for accepting bribes in exchange for promoting pro-Russian interviews and speeches.

In 2014, Coburn became the sole UKIP representative elected to the European Parliament from Scotland. The WhatsApp exchanges reveal Voloshyn discussing money allegedly allocated for Coburn while arranging payments to Gill. According to a Crown Prosecution Service document submitted at Gills sentencing, Voloshyn mentioned a $6,500 payment intended for another MEP.

Speaking outside his home in France, Coburn denied ever receiving payment for promoting pro-Russian interests, replying "no" when asked by a BBC journalist. The BBC has not uncovered evidence that Coburn, who led UKIP in Scotland from 2014 to 2018, was directly offered or received any funds.

The messages, dated April 3, 2019, appeared two months after Coburn joined the Brexit Party (now Reform UK). The CPS claims the conversation involved participation in an editorial board for two pro-Russian Ukrainian TV channels, 112 Ukraine and NewsOne, both linked to oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, a close ally of Vladimir Putin.

During sentencing, Judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb identified Medvedchuk as the ultimate source of the money Gill received. The CPS document states the WhatsApp messages were recovered from Gills mobile phone after counter-terrorism officers stopped him at Manchester Airport in 2021, two days before he was scheduled to speak at a conference in Moscow.

The exchanges detailed payments distributed by Voloshyn to Gill and another individual identified as "D" and "David," with Coburn being the only public MEP matching that name. The messages specify $6,500 for the other MEP, followed by further amounts. Coburn, who served as an MEP from 2014 to 2019, had previously ignored BBC inquiries but responded no when confronted in person about involvement in the bribery case.

Coburn left UKIP in 2014, citing concerns over the partys anti-Islamic policies. Both Coburn and fellow former UKIP/Brexit MEP Jonathan Arnott accompanied Gill to the pro-Russian TV channels in October 2018 and later spoke in the European Parliament about the broadcasters. Arnott denied ever being offered bribes and emphasized he had criticized Russia in his speech.

In the European Parliament, Coburn questioned Ukraines readiness for EU membership while referencing the planned closure of the pro-Russian TV channels. These channels were ultimately shut down in 2021 under President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The investigation revealed Gill had also bribed other MEPs to appear in interviews for the channels linked to Medvedchuk, though no evidence suggested these MEPs were aware of the bribery. The head of the Met Polices counter-terrorism unit stated Gill used his influence to push other MEPs to support Russias narrative in Ukraine.

Voloshyn, a co-defendant in Gills case, has not been charged in the UK. He was sanctioned by the US and UK governments in 2022 for allegedly undermining Ukraine and promoting Russian interests.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to investigate potential links between his party and Russia. Farage expressed confidence that no one else had acted like Gill but suggested MI5 should conduct a wider inquiry into foreign interference. Reform UK stated that Coburn has no involvement with the current party. A Met Police spokesperson confirmed the investigation continues, with no further arrests or interviews under caution reported.

Analysis: The Alleged Pro-Russian Influence Operation and David Coburn's Denial

David Coburn, a former member of Nigel Farage's Brexit Party, has forcefully rejected allegations suggesting his involvement in a pro-Russian influence operation within the European Parliament. Despite his name being mentioned in WhatsApp messages between Nathan Gill, a convicted former MEP, and Oleg Voloshyn, a figure connected to Russia's security apparatus, Coburn maintains his innocence. These messages, which surfaced after Gill's conviction for bribery, did not provide concrete evidence linking Coburn to any financial transactions.

The investigation, which includes messages dating back to 2019, mentions payments for various individuals, with Coburn's name appearing in connection with a potential $6,500 sum. While the Crown Prosecution Service has noted the involvement of Coburn in an "editorial board" linked to pro-Russian Ukrainian TV channels, no direct evidence has been presented that proves Coburn personally received any bribes or participated in these schemes.

Coburn's previous association with the UK Independence Party (UKIP) and his tenure with the Brexit Party place him at the center of the controversy. However, the accusations against him remain unsubstantiated, and he has consistently denied any wrongdoing, including claims of promoting Russian interests. The political fallout from this scandal has led to wider calls for scrutiny of party affiliations and potential foreign influence within the UK political landscape.

In conclusion, while the evidence points to a broader effort to influence European politics through bribery and media channels, Coburn’s direct involvement remains unclear. The investigation continues, and with no further arrests made, the focus now shifts to whether more conclusive evidence will emerge or whether this case will remain a political shadow over the Brexit Party’s legacy.

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• Ex-Brexit Party MEP named in Nathan Gill messages denies taking pro-Russian payments