Reform UK conference LIVE: Nigel Farage to deliver speech as party faces questions over 'foreign donations' claim

Reform UK conference LIVE: Nigel Farage to deliver speech as party faces questions over 'foreign donations' claim The Reform UK leader's address risks being overshadowed by claims that Reform breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company Nigel Farage will address the Reform UK conference today as he faces further questions about his party’s finances. The Reform leader is expected to pledge to make Parliament sit seven days a week in a bid to “fix” Britain in his speech to the party faithful at Birmingham’s NEC. However, his address risks being overshadowed by claims that Reform breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company. Rival parties have reported Reform to the police over claims by Channel 4 News that Reform took funding from a US firm for three polls it commissioned earlier this year costing £32,500. The purported donors were in fact undercover reporters from investigative group Verbatim posing as an American financier and his UK-based son. Foreign companies are not a permissible source of funding for parties, including for payments for studies and research, and accepting donations from them could constitute a criminal offence. In a letter to the Metropolitan Police, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart said the allegations raised "alarming questions about whether there has been a wider complacency toward foreign interference by the individuals involved". Reform has denied any wrongdoing and insisted it has a 'robust vetting process' for donors. Two high-profile figures including Nigel Farage's right-hand man have been suspended after explosive allegations that Reform UK knowingly accepted foreign donations to pay for polls that weren't declared by the party. James Orr, the party’s head of policy and Dan Jukes, a close aide to Farage, have stepped down pending the outcome of an internal investigation. They were filmed allegedly plotting for a foreign donor to pay £32,500 for off-the-books polling on behalf of the party in a potential breach of electoral law. A Reform UK spokesman said: "Reform UK has launched an investigation following the broadcast of a Channel 4 News programme. "Both individuals involved have stepped down from their respective positions pending the outcome of the investigation. "The party believes it is important that the investigation is allowed to proceed independently and without prejudice. No further comment will be made while the investigation is ongoing." Nigel Farage's number two opened Reform's conference by having a dig at China - while standing yards away from a Reform UK merch stand selling items manufactured there. Richard Tice has been mocked after taking a swipe at the eastern superpower as he suggested goods made there would not be welcome at the gathering in Birmingham. But a quick glance over the nearby conference shop reveals Farage fans can purchase caps, pendants and water bottles manufactured in China. The Liberal Democrats said it had written to the police and the Electoral Commission asking them to investigate. It's understood Labour also intends to report the allegations to the police. The Green Party also joined calls for police to probe the claims. Bob Posner, a lawyer and former Chief Executive of the UK Electoral Commission, called for criminal investigation as “serious criminal offences” may have been committed. Mr Posner branded the facilitation of payments for polls by Reform figures as “shocking”, telling Channel 4: “From what I’ve seen it was commissioned by the party, it was polling for the party and hiding it means they’re hiding a donation”. He added that it’s “against the law and the evasion of the rules, the attempt of evasion of rules, to take actions to further evasion of the rules, these are serious criminal offences”. Nigel Farage will address Reform conference today amid questions over the party's finances. Police have been urged to investigate explosive allegations that Reform UK knowingly accepted foreign donations to pay for polls that weren't declared by the party. According to a year-long undercover investigation, senior party figures allegedly arranged for an American company to fund three influential polls that the party had commissioned.