Concerns raised over Russian interference with Senedd election
Emily Price
Concerns have been raised that Russian interference in the next Senedd election could see some newly elected MSs “spouting views bought and paid for by the Kremlin”.
Conservative MS Tom Giffard made the comments on Wednesday (March 6) after a topical question he planned to put to the First Minister was rejected by the Senedd’s Llywydd, Elin Jones.
The question read: “What steps is the Welsh Government taking to prevent Russian interference in Welsh elections?”
Mr Giffard’s intervention came a week after Reform UK’s former Wales leader, Nathan Gill, appeared in court accused of accepting money in exchange for making favourable statements about Russia in the European Parliament.
Gill has been charged with eight counts of bribery and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery.
Money
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that he had allegedly made statements in the European Parliament and in opinion pieces to news outlets which were “supportive of a particular narrative” which would “benefit Russia regarding events in Ukraine”.
He is alleged to have been tasked by Oleg Voloshyn on at least eight occasions to make specific statements in return for money.
The court also heard that he was stopped at Manchester Airport on September 13 2021 under the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019.
Gill was first elected as a UKIP member of the European Parliament in 2014.
His role ended when the UK left the EU in 2020 – at which point he was an MEP for the Brexit Party.
Gill led Reform UK’s 2021 Welsh Parliament election campaign but is no longer a member of the party.
He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on March 14.
Democracy
Mr Giffard says the case poses, “serious questions for the sanctity of our democracy in Wales.”
He said: “The last thing we need after the election are Senedd Members spouting views bought and paid for by the Kremlin.
“Unless the Welsh and UK Governments take this threat seriously, we run the risk of letting Russia run our democracy as we’ve seen in other parts of the world.
“We mustn’t be naive or complacent enough to assume it won’t happen here.
“I’m disappointed that the topical question was declined today by the Llywydd as it posed an opportunity to air this debate in public, but I promise to keep raising this issue and do all I can to tackle this problem wherever it arises.”
Rejected
Topical questions are urgent questions that can be put to the Welsh Government during a 20 minute slot in the Senedd on a Wednesday.
The questions are selected at the Llywydd’s discretion and must relate to a matter of national, regional or local significance.
If a question is rejected, the MS who submitted it is not given a reason why.
A spokesperson for the Llywydd said: “The process and criteria for considering topical question requests is set out in guidance to members.”
The Welsh Government said: “Welsh government officials are working with their counterparts in the UK Government, police, Electoral Commission and with other partners to ensure the integrity and security of the 2026 Senedd election, including protection against interference.”
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Democracy with a foot on its neck, is attending the prayer breakfast the key, this needs a dose of looking at?
Springfield, Missouri is a Long way from Cymru…
Seriously, Rev Millar’s church threatens the existence in the afterlife of those who don’t buy their fantasy…!
How many worlds Rev Millar, traitors to the planet all…
The Money from the US will be a Gift From God via the Breakfast Club…
Open Thine Eyes, That You May See…
Why would it only be the Russians that could interfere in the Senedd elections? I’d be more worried about the UK government to be honest.
Heard of this bloke, wotisname, farage, thats it. US representative trying to get a foothold here.
Hows it going in the US with their assault on Ukraine to follow putins orders?
I’m far more worried at a Prime Minister who is hardly ever in The UK interfering in the Senedd elections
Bought by the US, which means the Cons and reform, though control from the Kremlin is now via 47 and his spare and places like the heritage foundation and 47’s attack dog, Musk.
Oh yeah, ARTD wants musk to directly interfere with in the Senedd. You know, the nazi saluting chum of farage. Funny circles they move in.
Circles within circles Trwmp and Musk’s family trees are like a mangrove swamp…
No venn diagrams with this bunch. Just one big dot.
have you looked in detail…
Concentric…
What aren’t we being told?
Will it be the same team investigating the Russian interference as for the UK general election and the Brexit vote??
It’s pretty obvious who the Tories and Reform are being controlled by, I mean let’s face it, neither leader voted by trusted to tie their own shoelaces without help, so I can see why Putin bought them as lapdogs.
In the absence of an explanation from the Llywydd, it’s rather hard to see why Mr Giffard’s ‘topical question’ wasn’t accepted.
Worth remembering that Romania’s constitutional court has not long ago determined that the country’s recent national election be declared invalid and must be be re-run, on the grounds that there had been conclusive evidence of significant foreign interference in the campaign.
Does this mean that Russia might have a say in those unclear candidate lists most of our parties seem to favour for 2026. Best advice – dump the lot and go back FPTP until a well thought out alternative is presented. It might even blunt the progress of the bogey man’s party.
I think Senedd MS are getting a bit above their relative in importance, Gill has been accused while he was a MEP his transgressions are alleged to be in EU sphere.
Winning Wales in 26 is a springboard to winning Westminster in 29.