Scotland Yard has opened an investigation into a £37,500 donation made to Robert Jenrick's 2024 campaign to become leader of the Conservative Party, following claims that the money came from a foreign source in breach of UK electoral law. The matter is significant because Mr Jenrick has since defected to Reform UK, whose leader Nigel Farage is separately being examined by the parliamentary standards watchdog over an undeclared £5 million gift, adding to scrutiny of the party's finances.

The donation formed part of £100,000 given in four instalments by British entrepreneur Phillip Ullmann through a company called Spott Fitness during the contest to succeed Rishi Sunak. It was later alleged that £37,500 of this was impermissible because it originated with US businessman Gary Klopfenstein, who pleaded guilty to investment fraud in 2024. The Electoral Commission began inquiries last year and referred the matter to the Metropolitan Police on 6 January. Mr Jenrick denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations "entirely false" and saying he had had no contact with the Met, noting the donation went to his campaign rather than to him personally.