Cambridge University investigates conduct of academic suspended by Reform UK

Cambridge University has confirmed it is looking into the conduct of James Orr, an associate professor, after undercover footage showed him appearing to try to circumvent British electoral laws governing foreign political donations. A university spokesperson told the Guardian the institution is examining the matter.

Orr had served as head of policy for Reform UK but has stepped aside, along with another senior party official, following claims he orchestrated an arrangement in which political polling would be funded by a foreign company — something not permitted under UK electoral law.

The covert recording was carried out by Verbatim, a group of investigative journalists founded by the Centre for Climate Reporting. Orr is an associate professor of religion at Cambridge's divinity faculty, where he teaches students.

Though relatively unknown to the wider public outside UK and US political circles, Orr has been regarded as an influential intellectual figure within Reform, once dubbed the party's "philosopher king" by Politico. His extensive contacts within the US Maga movement were a significant factor in his appointment, and US Vice-President JD Vance has described him as his "intellectual mentor" and "British Sherpa".

Channel 4 News broadcast footage on Thursday evening showing an undercover reporter, posing as a UK-based Reform supporter, in conversation with Orr. In the recording, Orr discusses commissioning polling secretly arranged by Reform, but suggests the costs be covered by a US company supposedly belonging to the fake supporter's father. In a separate clip, Orr is heard saying that party leader Nigel Farage "doesn't know, won't know" about the funding arrangement, adding it was something he would "rather not know".

Reform UK initially dismissed the investigation as a "hoax". Orr posted a video on Thursday evening denying the arrangement could amount to a donation or benefit in kind, and described Verbatim as "politically motivated actors" seeking to discredit a political opponent. Nevertheless, by Friday morning both Orr and Dan Jukes, a senior aide to Farage who also denies wrongdoing, had stood down pending an internal party investigation.

Farage, who also appeared in the undercover footage meeting the fake supporters, sought to distance himself from both men on Friday, noting they were not part of the party's official fundraising team and had bypassed proper vetting procedures.