UK defense chief John Healey warns Nigel Farage and Reform UK untrustworthy on national security due to past pro-Putin ties and bribery case.

Defence Secretary John Healey said Nigel Farage and Reform UK cannot be trusted on national security, citing former party leader Nathan Gill’s guilty plea to accepting bribes for pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament. Though Gill had no formal role since 2021, Healey linked the case to concerns over Farage’s past admiration for Vladimir Putin, which he called “deeply suspect.” He emphasized the UK’s commitment to NATO and collective defense against Russian aggression, contrasting it with what he described as Reform UK’s pro-Putin rhetoric. Healey pledged to challenge the party throughout the upcoming election campaign, arguing voters will judge both parties on national security and their ability to improve lives.