Cambridge probes associate professor suspended by Reform UK over foreign donation plot

Cambridge University is investigating James Orr after footage showed him apparently trying to circumvent UK electoral laws on foreign political donations.

Cambridge University investigates suspended Reform UK policy chief James Orr

Cambridge University is examining the conduct of James Orr, an associate professor at its divinity faculty, after undercover footage appeared to show him attempting to circumvent British electoral law on foreign political donations, The Guardian UK reports.

Orr, who served as head of policy for Reform UK until stepping down on Friday, was captured on camera by Verbatim, a group of investigative journalists founded by the Centre for Climate Reporting. The footage, broadcast by Channel 4 News on Thursday evening, showed Orr in conversation with an undercover reporter posing as a UK-based supporter of the party.

In the exchange, Orr discussed commissioning polling that would be secretly organised by Reform UK but paid for by a US company belonging to the fake supporter's supposed father — an arrangement that would be impermissible under British electoral law, which prohibits foreign funding of political activity.

A separate clip captured Orr saying of the proposed funding arrangement that Nigel Farage "doesn't know, won't know" and that it was the kind of thing he would "rather not know."

A University of Cambridge spokesperson said in a statement shared with The Guardian UK: "The university is looking into these matters." Orr teaches students at Cambridge and holds the title of associate professor of religion within the divinity faculty.

Orr's role within Reform UK

Though little known to the British public, Orr had been a significant intellectual presence inside Reform UK. Politico described him as the party's "philosopher king." A key part of his appeal to senior Reform figures was his network of high-level contacts within the US Maga movement. US Vice-President JD Vance has publicly called Orr his "intellectual mentor" and his "British Sherpa."

Reform UK initially responded to the Channel 4 News and Verbatim investigation by describing it as a "hoax." On Thursday evening, Orr posted a video to his X account stating: "There is absolutely no way this could amount to a benefit or donation in kind at all." He dismissed Verbatim as "politically motivated actors trying to discredit a political opponent through dubious legal means."

Two senior aides step down

By Friday morning, Orr and Dan Jukes — a senior aide to Farage who has also denied any wrongdoing — had both stood aside pending an internal party investigation into the allegations raised by the broadcast.

Farage, who was himself featured in the investigation meeting with the undercover reporters, moved to distance himself from both men on Friday. Speaking to reporters, the Reform UK leader said: "The two individuals involved are not even part of our fundraising team, so they should have gone through the appropriate channels. Checks would have been made and they would never, ever have got to sit down at a table with me."

The Guardian UK said it had approached Orr for comment.

Source: The Guardian UK