Defending Democracy from Dirty Money

About the Series

A radical network of politicians, think tanks, lobby groups, and media outlets is attempting to scupper the UKโ€™s clean energy transition by pumping out climate science denial. In this series, DeSmog unearths the big money backers behind this anti-climate project, which is polluting British democracy.

In This Series

onNov 6, 2025 @ 08:19 PST

The regulatorโ€™s findings came a day before the Tufton Street group appointed a climate denial peer as its new boss.

The regulatorโ€™s findings came a day before the Tufton Street group appointed a climate denial peer as its new boss.
onOct 16, 2025 @ 08:01 PDT

A media CEO who helped to stage an event with Reformโ€™s main U.S. ally has publicly denounced the partyโ€™s leader.

A media CEO who helped to stage an event with Reformโ€™s main U.S. ally has publicly denounced the partyโ€™s leader.
onAug 27, 2025 @ 04:31 PDT

The Reform leader will be skipping Parliament again in favour of a conference in Washington DC.

The Reform leader will be skipping Parliament again in favour of a conference in Washington DC.
onAug 20, 2025 @ 10:09 PDT

A โ€œrogueโ€ government could seize sensitive information on UK residents, data privacy experts fear.

A โ€œrogueโ€ government could seize sensitive information on UK residents, data privacy experts fear.
onAug 7, 2025 @ 07:41 PDT

An academic with ties to Reform slammed the UKโ€™s strong support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

An academic with ties to Reform slammed the UKโ€™s strong support for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
onAug 5, 2025 @ 09:30 PDT

The party is allowing corporate executives to buy time with Farage at its annual conference.

The party is allowing corporate executives to buy time with Farage at its annual conference.
onJul 15, 2025 @ 04:55 PDT

The Reform UK leader has addressed several anti-climate outfits with ties to Donald Trump โ€“ while making nearly ยฃ1 million on top of his MPโ€™s salary.

The Reform UK leader has addressed several anti-climate outfits with ties to Donald Trump โ€“ while making nearly ยฃ1 million on top of his MPโ€™s salary.
onJul 13, 2025 @ 04:12 PDT

The Reform leader has barely spoken about his constituency, a deprived area at high risk from the effects of climate change.

The Reform leader has barely spoken about his constituency, a deprived area at high risk from the effects of climate change.
onJun 18, 2025 @ 05:05 PDT

A U.S. group with close ties to the Trump administration is convening the panel in Westminster.

A U.S. group with close ties to the Trump administration is convening the panel in Westminster.
onJun 10, 2025 @ 09:01 PDT

Kemi Badenochโ€™s party has been receiving money from fossil fuel interests while pursuing anti-climate policies.

Kemi Badenochโ€™s party has been receiving money from fossil fuel interests while pursuing anti-climate policies.
onMay 1, 2025 @ 09:24 PDT

The U.S. private equity firm KKR contributed to the presidentโ€™s swearing-in ceremony.

The U.S. private equity firm KKR contributed to the presidentโ€™s swearing-in ceremony.
onApr 25, 2025 @ 02:59 PDT

Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy has been attempting to extract cash from fossil fuel executives.

Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy has been attempting to extract cash from fossil fuel executives.
onApr 10, 2025 @ 21:00 PDT

The group plans to attract donations from U.S. backers allied to Donald Trump.

The group plans to attract donations from U.S. backers allied to Donald Trump.
onFeb 18, 2025 @ 07:06 PST

The Reform UK leader reiterated false climate claims at Jordan Petersonโ€™s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship event in London.

The Reform UK leader reiterated false climate claims at Jordan Petersonโ€™s Alliance for Responsible Citizenship event in London.
onFeb 13, 2025 @ 10:30 PST

The Reform UK leader baselessly suggested that farms were being cleared to make way for immigrants.

The Reform UK leader baselessly suggested that farms were being cleared to make way for immigrants.
onFeb 4, 2025 @ 10:03 PST

A pro-Trump, pro-oil oligarchy is being convened by a group backed by the owners of GB News, campaigners say.

A pro-Trump, pro-oil oligarchy is being convened by a group backed by the owners of GB News, campaigners say.
onJan 15, 2025 @ 05:46 PST

The Reform UK leader is betting his home on climate denial, campaigners say.

The Reform UK leader is betting his home on climate denial, campaigners say.
onDec 19, 2024 @ 09:51 PST

The Heartland Institute, which questions human-made climate change, has established a new branch in London.

The Heartland Institute, which questions human-made climate change, has established a new branch in London.
onDec 13, 2024 @ 02:32 PST

Badenochโ€™s leadership campaign was part-funded by a board member at one of the worldโ€™s largest fossil fuel companies.

Badenochโ€™s leadership campaign was part-funded by a board member at one of the worldโ€™s largest fossil fuel companies.
onDec 6, 2024 @ 04:40 PST

Lord Moynihan of Chelsea, who holds shares in Shell and TotalEnergies, called the green transition a โ€œchildrenโ€™s crusadeโ€.

Lord Moynihan of Chelsea, who holds shares in Shell and TotalEnergies, called the green transition a โ€œchildrenโ€™s crusadeโ€.
onSep 26, 2024 @ 05:14 PDT

Figures linked to the Global Warming Policy Foundation have handed huge sums to the Tories.

Figures linked to the Global Warming Policy Foundation have handed huge sums to the Tories.
onSep 14, 2024 @ 03:44 PDT

Tickets at the event in Chicago cost up to $50,000 for the chance to have dinner with the Reform UK leader.

Tickets at the event in Chicago cost up to $50,000 for the chance to have dinner with the Reform UK leader.
onSep 5, 2024 @ 11:31 PDT

Tory peer and major party donor Michael Hintze has funded the Global Warming Policy Foundation.

Tory peer and major party donor Michael Hintze has funded the Global Warming Policy Foundation.
onAug 6, 2024 @ 05:45 PDT

Clacton is uniquely exposed to rising sea levels, but local voters are unlikely to find a champion in their new MP.

Clacton is uniquely exposed to rising sea levels, but local voters are unlikely to find a champion in their new MP.
Analysis
onJul 12, 2024 @ 09:10 PDT

The intake includes a property developer who dubbed CO2 merely โ€œplant foodโ€ and the former chair of Southampton Football Club, who blames wildfires entirely on arsonists.

The intake includes a property developer who dubbed CO2 merely โ€œplant foodโ€ and the former chair of Southampton Football Club, who blames wildfires entirely on arsonists.
onJul 3, 2024 @ 06:47 PDT

Interviewed at a bikers cafe, Farage said the UKโ€™s legally binding commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions would โ€œmake absolutely almost no difference whatsoeverโ€.

Interviewed at a bikers cafe, Farage said the UKโ€™s legally binding commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions would โ€œmake absolutely almost no difference whatsoeverโ€.
onJun 26, 2024 @ 02:07 PDT

Reformโ€™s leader has been criticised in recent days for claiming the west provoked Putinโ€™s invasion of Ukraine.

Reformโ€™s leader has been criticised in recent days for claiming the west provoked Putinโ€™s invasion of Ukraine.
onJun 21, 2024 @ 04:01 PDT

Sarah Jones ran a fundraising event with the help of a pro-hydrogen group backed by a major Tory donor.

Sarah Jones ran a fundraising event with the help of a pro-hydrogen group backed by a major Tory donor.
onJun 14, 2024 @ 09:32 PDT

Rishi Sunakโ€™s Tories accepted hundreds of thousands from major donors with financial ties to the oil and gas industry.

Rishi Sunakโ€™s Tories accepted hundreds of thousands from major donors with financial ties to the oil and gas industry.
onJun 4, 2024 @ 09:02 PDT

Scientific modelling indicates that areas of Clacton could be submerged annually.

Scientific modelling indicates that areas of Clacton could be submerged annually.
onJun 4, 2024 @ 04:35 PDT

The anti-net zero party has been bankrolled by oil and gas investors, aviation entrepreneurs, and those who reject climate science.

The anti-net zero party has been bankrolled by oil and gas investors, aviation entrepreneurs, and those who reject climate science.
onJun 3, 2024 @ 10:10 PDT

The Reform UK leader is a vocal opponent of net zero policies, and has questioned the basis of established climate science.

The Reform UK leader is a vocal opponent of net zero policies, and has questioned the basis of established climate science.
onMay 23, 2024 @ 02:30 PDT

โ€œOutrageousโ€ findings show that the Conservative Party โ€œis clearly in bed with the fossil fuel lobbyโ€, say MPs and campaigners.

โ€œOutrageousโ€ findings show that the Conservative Party โ€œis clearly in bed with the fossil fuel lobbyโ€, say MPs and campaigners.
onFeb 1, 2024 @ 06:30 PST

The Electoral Commission said it would consider enforcement action after the anti-net zero party inaccurately reported a different name on the donation.

The Electoral Commission said it would consider enforcement action after the anti-net zero party inaccurately reported a different name on the donation.
onJan 18, 2024 @ 09:07 PST

The Dubai-based Legatum Group funds multiple organisations that have advocated against climate action.

The Dubai-based Legatum Group funds multiple organisations that have advocated against climate action.
onJan 11, 2024 @ 12:59 PST

Michael Hintze, one of the early backers of the Global Warming Policy Foundation, also donated to Environment Secretary Steve Barclay in 2023.

Michael Hintze, one of the early backers of the Global Warming Policy Foundation, also donated to Environment Secretary Steve Barclay in 2023.
onNov 17, 2023 @ 06:40 PST

All of the anti-net zero partyโ€™s funders in 2023 have oil and gas investments or ties to climate science denial.

All of the anti-net zero partyโ€™s funders in 2023 have oil and gas investments or ties to climate science denial.
onMar 10, 2022 @ 09:23 PST

โ€˜Vote Power, Not Povertyโ€™ co-founder Richard Tice says politicians want to make money from the โ€œgreen agendaโ€ while Farage has campaigned against climate action for years.

โ€˜Vote Power, Not Povertyโ€™ co-founder Richard Tice says politicians want to make money from the โ€œgreen agendaโ€ while Farage has campaigned against climate action for years.