Met investigate donation to Jenrick's Tory leadership campaign

Metropolitan Police have launched a formal inquiry into an alleged overseas donation linked to Robert Jenrick’s 2024 Conservative leadership campaign, following a referral from the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission officials examining claims that £37,500 contributed to Jenrick’s bid originated abroad. The matter was transferred from the Committee to the Metropolitan Police in January of this year. A Metropolitan Police confirmed concerns “concerning donations connected to a government party’s leadership campaign.” Foreign contributions to UK politicians are prohibited under electoral law. The investigation stems from allegations examined by the Electoral Commission that a £37,500 donation to Jenrick’s campaign had overseas origins. That claim was passed to the Met in January. Jenrick has rejected the accusations, describing them as “wholly false.” He stated, “I have had no interaction with the Met Police whatsoever regarding this matter.” Jenrick, a former Conservative MP who defected to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party earlier this year, sought to regain a foothold in the Conservative Party during the 2024 leadership contest, finishing runner‑up to Kemi Badenoch. According to the Guardian, the Electoral Commission began in April reviewing claims of £100,000 in donations from Spott Fitness directed to Jenrick’s campaign. In September 2024, British businessman Phillip Ullmann identified himself as the source of those funds. The Commission is also scrutinising assertions that £37,500 of the amount actually derived from the US‑based entity Innovyz. Innovyz was founded by US businessman Gary Klopfenstein, who pleaded guilty to fraud in 2024. A spokesperson for Jenrick said, “The proposition that Robert knowingly accepted impermissible donations is an untrue, politically motivated smear. The information that Mr Ullman was introduced to Robert by a Tory MP, and that his donations’ permissibility was checked by the party, is false.” The spokesperson added, “Robert and his campaign complied with all electoral laws, including receiving the donation from Spott Fitness Ltd in 2024.” They continued, “Mr Jenrick has never met, spoken to, or had any direct interaction with Mr Klopfenstein, nor was he aware of any illicit transactions between him and Mr Ullman’s donation until he was contacted by the Electoral Commission.” Further, the spokesperson noted, “The campaign cooperated with the Electoral Commission inquiry, providing detailed records that categorically disproved these allegations.” The Conservative Party reminded all its 2024 leadership candidates of the rules governing permissible donations. A spokesperson for Ullmann declined to comment. A Met Police spokesman explained, “We launched a probe following a referral from the Electoral Commission on Tuesday, 6 January, concerning donations connected to a government party’s leadership campaign. The investigation remains ongoing.”