Met Police investigate £37,500 donation to Jenrick's Tory leadership campaign
The Metropolitan Police have opened an investigation into a £37,500 donation to Robert Jenrick's 2024 Conservative leadership campaign, following allegations the funds originated from a US businessman.
Investigation launched
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating donations made to Robert Jenrick's campaign to become Conservative Party leader in 2024. The probe follows a referral from the Electoral Commission, which had been examining allegations that nearly £40,000 of the funds came from an overseas donor, in breach of UK electoral law.
These allegations are entirely false, but it is no surprise that an establishment determined to stop Reform from delivering the change that this country so desperately needs would resort to making these demonstrably untrue claims. I have had no contact with the Met Police whatsoever in connection with this matter.
The donation and its alleged source
Jenrick's campaign received £100,000 in donations from The Spott Fitness, a UK-based company linked to British businessman Phillip Ullmann. Of that sum, £37,500 is alleged to have originated from US businessman Gary Klopfenstein and his company Innovyz USA. The funds were given to the campaign in July 2024. Shortly afterwards, Klopfenstein pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the United States in relation to separate matters.
The Electoral Commission said in April that it had referred "evidence of potential offences outside our remit" to the Met in January. The Met confirmed on Wednesday that it had launched an investigation "concerning donations connected to a political party's leadership campaign".
Political context
Jenrick was expelled from the Conservative Party in January 2026 and immediately defected to Reform UK, where he now serves as the rightwing populist party's Treasury spokesperson. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by Jenrick himself. A spokesperson for Jenrick said in April that "Robert and his campaign team complied with all electoral laws when receiving the donation received from Spott Fitness Ltd in 2024".
News of the investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny over Reform leader Nigel Farage's personal finances and acceptance of gifts from wealthy backers.
Timeline of events
- £37,500 donation allegedly from US businessman Gary Klopfenstein made to Jenrick's campaign.
- Klopfenstein pleads guilty to wire fraud in the US in a separate case.
- Electoral Commission refers evidence of potential offences to the Metropolitan Police.
- Met confirms it has launched an investigation into the donations.
Ullmann did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His spokesperson said in April that the businessman had "voluntarily disclosed additional information to the Electoral Commission".
