Labour has taken action regarding Nigel Farage’s alleged Russian phone hack by reporting it to security services and the police after Reform failed to demonstrate that they had done so. Earlier this week, Mr. Farage was given a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm whether he had informed authorities about Kremlin-supported hackers breaching his device, but he failed to meet the deadline.

Over the weekend, the leader of Reform claimed that information about a £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire came to light due to his compromised phone. Although Reform mentioned notifying “relevant authorities” to the media, they did not provide further details. There has been doubt surrounding Mr. Farage’s assertion that his phone was inspected by counter-espionage experts who implicated Russia. The Mirror sought clarification from the party without receiving a response.

In a letter to Mr. Farage, Labour’s chair Anna Turley emphasized the seriousness of the alleged crime and its potential impact on national security and public confidence in the democratic system. Concerned about the lack of specifics from Reform, she contacted the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Metropolitan Police to ensure a thorough investigation into the suspicions raised by Mr. Farage and Reform UK.

Ms. Turley warned Mr. Farage that unless he provided evidence of passing on his hacking suspicions to the NCSC and police, she would take action herself. Labour has now reported the allegations of hostile state activity by Russia to the Metropolitan Police and NCSC, expressing uncertainty about Reform’s proactive measures.

Ciaran Martin, the former chief of the NCSC, dismissed Mr. Farage’s claims as unsubstantiated and questioned the involvement of Russia based solely on a phone examination. Mr. Farage faced criticism after it was revealed last month that he received a £5 million donation before the 2024 general election, prompting an investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner to determine potential breaches of MP rules.

Mr. Farage maintained that the donation was an unconditional personal gift, initially citing security reasons but later characterizing it as a reward for his Brexit advocacy. Ms. Turley raised concerns about the undisclosed £5 million gift and urged Mr. Farage to provide transparency about its usage and any potential additional undisclosed funds from Christopher Harborne or Reform politicians.

Reform UK has been approached for a response, with a spokesperson vaguely stating that the matter has been reported to relevant authorities without specifying to whom. The NCSC could not confirm receiving a report but reiterated their readiness to assist with any suspected cyber incidents. Defending democracy remains a top priority for the NCSC, offering expert guidance and support to safeguard individuals from online threats.