Police are investigating a donation made to Robert Jenrick’s Conservative leadership campaign in 2024, the BBC understands.
The Electoral Commission had been examining claims that a £37,500 contribution to Jenrick’s bid originated overseas. The commission passed the information to the Metropolitan Police in January.
The Met has confirmed a formal investigation into “donations connected to a political party’s leadership campaign.” Foreign donations to UK politicians are prohibited by electoral law.
The police have not disclosed the individuals potentially involved in the inquiry.
Jenrick stated that the allegations are “entirely false.” He added that he has had no contact with the Met Police regarding the matter.
Jenrick now serves as a Reform MP after defecting from the Conservatives to Nigel Farage’s party earlier this year.
He stood in the summer of 2024 to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader, finishing second behind Kemi Badenoch.
The Guardian first reported in April that the Electoral Commission was reviewing allegations concerning £100,000 in donations from Spott Fitness to Jenrick’s campaign.
In September 2024, British businessman Phillip Ullmann disclosed that he was behind those donations.
The Commission is also probing claims that £37,500 of the funds actually came from the US company Innovyz.
Innovyz was established by US businessman Gary Klopfenstein, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in 2024.
A spokesperson for Jenrick rejected the claims as “untrue, politically motivated smears” orchestrated by the Conservatives, noting that Mr. Ullmann was introduced by a Tory MP and that the donations were checked for permissibility.
“Robert and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws when receiving the donation from Spott Fitness Ltd in 2024,” the statement continued.
“Mr Jenrick has never met, spoken to, or had any contact with Mr Klopfenstein, nor was he aware of any connection between him and Mr Ullmann’s donation until contacted by the Electoral Commission,” it added.
“He fully cooperated with the Electoral Commission inquiry, providing detailed records that categorically disproved these smears in 2025,” the spokesperson said.
The Conservative Party confirmed that all candidates in the 2024 leadership race were reminded of the rules governing permissible donations.
A representative for Ullmann declined to comment.
A Met Police spokesperson said, “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.”
