Former Brexit Party and UKIP politician, David Coburn has denied receiving any money connected to a pro-Russian influence operation in the European Parliament.
Coburn’s name appears in WhatsApp messages exchanged between disgraced former MEP Nathan Gill who was jailed last week for taking bribes to deliver pro-Russia speeches and Oleg Voloshyn, a former Ukrainian MP aligned with the Kremlin.
Gill admitted receiving thousands of dollars from figures linked to Viktor Medvedchuk, a powerful Ukrainian oligarch and close ally of Vladimir Putin.
According to documents submitted at Gill’s sentencing, Voloshyn referred to a $6,500 payment allegedly intended for another MEP identified as D or David.
Coburn is the only David known to have taken part in the same editorial board meetings for pro-Russian TV channels 112 Ukraine and NewsOne both tied to Medvedchuk.
When approached at his home in northern France, Coburn told the media no. when asked whether he ever received money related to the scheme. He declined to answer further questions and has not responded to follow-up requests.
Meanwhile report by the BBC revealed there is no yet evidence he was directly paid.
Gill’s phone was seized in 2021 during a counter-terrorism stop at Manchester Airport. Messages on the device show discussions about how bribe money should be divided between Gill and the other MEP.
Coburn and another former UKIP MEP, Jonathan Arnott, had visited the Russian-linked TV stations with Gill in 2018 and later spoke in the European Parliament using arguments similar to Gill’s pro-Russian narrative. Arnott insists he was never offered money and rejects any suggestion of wrongdoing.
Authorities in the UK and US have sanctioned both Voloshyn and Medvedchuk for efforts to undermine Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to investigate any potential Russian links within his party. Reform UK says Coburn has no involvement with its current structure.
The Metropolitan Police say no other arrests have been made, but the investigation remains ongoing.
