\u201cA fundamental part of political reporting \u2013 approaching for comment before publishing \u2013 just totally breaks down if this is what happens,\u201d said the Sunday Times political editor<\/a>, Ben Riley-Smith. \u201cBad for both sides: [It] will increase the chance of inaccuracies.\u201d<\/p>\n It follows similar instances in which Reform has attempted to use the Telegraph to neutralise potentially damaging stories.<\/p>\n In April, the Guardian revealed that Farage had received a \u00a35m gift<\/a> from Harborne. When the Guardian went to Reform for comment, the party asked for more time to respond \u2013 and used the time to brief the Telegraph, which ran fawning interviews with Farage and Harborne.<\/p>\n On another occasion, details of donations and loans to Reform\u2019s deputy leader, Richard Tice, and his company, put to the party by the Guardian, then appeared in a Telegraph story<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reform UK\u2019s deputy leader, Richard Tice, accused the NCA of leaking financial information to the media. Photograph: Hannah McKay\/Reuters<\/p>\n A Telegraph journalist said there was \u201csignificant unease\u201d about the tactic in the newsroom, with concern that Reform figures had repeatedly undermined journalism with the spoiler tactic.<\/p>\n Other insiders said the criticism was unfair in relation to the latest incident, stating the Telegraph team was not aware that Reform had been approached about the donations by another publication. However, there had been a previous history of Reform using the tactic.<\/p>\n The stories were written by Gordon Rayner, the Telegraph\u2019s associate editor, who has previously served as its political editor and chief reporter. Decisions over publication are ultimately taken by senior editors.<\/p>\n The incident has reignited a debate over the Telegraph\u2019s links to Reform. The title has traditionally been closely associated with the Conservative party.<\/p>\n Some at the title disapproved of a piece about a journalist travelling to Britain on a small boat<\/a>. It later emerged the journalist in question was a Reform member and activist. The paper also features columns by Isabel Oakeshott, Tice\u2019s partner and an open supporter of many Reform UK policies.<\/p>\n However, Reform\u2019s approach to the Telegraph is inconsistent. Senior Reform figures have attacked it as being part of a pro-Conservative and mainstream media establishment.<\/p>\n Some senior media figures privately argue there is nothing new about Reform\u2019s \u201cspoiler story\u201d tactic, comparing it to New Labour\u2019s news management \u2013 and favouring of certain reporters \u2013 in the 2000s. However, other media experts said Reform\u2019s stories with the Telegraph were different.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a>Free newsletter |Every weekday<\/p>\n Sign up to First Edition<\/p>\n Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what\u2019s happening and why it matters<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789516941_414_1000.jpg\")
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