Police investigate £37,500 donation to Jenrick leadership campaign

Police have launched an investigation into £37,500 in donations made to Robert Jenrick’s campaign for Conservative leader in 2024. The Metropolitan police confirmed they are investigating after the Electoral Commission referred the case to them.

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We have launched an investigation following a referral from the Electoral Commission on Tuesday 6 January concerning donations connected to a political party’s leadership campaign. The investigation remains ongoing.

The watchdog had been examining allegations that the donations, made by a UK-based company called The Spott Fitness, were ultimately funded by a foreign source. It is understood the Electoral Commission received claims that £37,500 of the £100,000 donated by The Spott Fitness originated from US businessman Gary Klopfenstein via his US company Innovyz USA. Electoral law prohibits foreign companies and individuals from donating to UK politicians or parties.

Jenrick, who has since joined Reform UK and is now the party's Treasury spokesperson, has denied the allegations. He stated that the claims are "entirely false" and that he has had no contact with the Metropolitan police regarding the matter. He previously told the Electoral Commission that he and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws and had no knowledge of Klopfenstein's potential involvement or connection to The Spott Fitness until the commission made inquiries.

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I have had no contact with the Met police whatsoever in connection with this matter.

The investigation into Jenrick's campaign financing could prove embarrassing for the senior Reform politician, as the party faces separate scrutiny over leader Nigel Farage's funding. Jenrick was a Conservative MP at the time of the donations, considering a leadership run to succeed Rishi Sunak.

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The allegations are “entirely false, but it is no surprise that an establishment determined to stop Reform from delivering the change that this country so desperately needs would resort to making these demonstrably untrue claims