Verbatim
investigative journalism
| Verbatim | |
|---|---|
| File:Verbatim.jpg | |
| Founders | Lawrence Carter, Louis Wilson |
| Carrying out public interest journalism | |
Verbatim is a new not-for-profit investigative project focused on carrying out journalism in the public interest. It was founded by Lawrence Carter and Louis Wilson, who first worked together at the Centre for Climate Reporting and established Verbatim to investigate a broader range of accountability issues.
Both Carter and Wilson have worked on numerous investigative stories focused on political and corporate influence. These were covered by major media outlets including the BBC, New York Times, Channel 4 News, CNN, The Guardian and The Times.[1]
Verbatim sting operation
On 3 September 2026, Channel 4 News broadcast video extracts of Verbatim's undercover investigation into Reform UK party funding:
Watch on YouTube"Farage is Finished!"Investigative reporters posed as a wealthy American and his UK-based son, “William Lockwood.” Over nearly a year they were drawn into conversations with Reform’s head of policy, James Orr, and Farage aide Dan Jukes.
The operation arranged for a US company to pay £32,500 for three JL Partners polls Reform had commissioned. Those polls appeared in national newspapers without Reform’s role being disclosed.
Foreign donations – including payments for research that benefits a party – are not permitted under UK electoral law, and large gifts must be declared.
On camera, Orr discusses secrecy and whether they could “get away with it.” Jukes describes “clandestine” projects and an “off the book” donor.
In Clacton, over oysters and wine, Farage praises the polling as “amazing” and “bang for buck,” then adds: “It worked. Boom.”
A proposed £500,000 donation via the UK-resident son is also discussed.
Watch on YouTubeVerbatim full videoFormer Electoral Commission chief Bob Posner says serious criminal offences may have been committed. Reform UK denies wrongdoing and calls the operation a hoax.[2]
Verbatim video
Verbatim's full video was published on X[3] and YouTube[4]
Our year-long investigation reveals Nigel Farage courting illicit funding as part of a plot to bring foreign money into British politics, orchestrated by his top aides and caught on hidden camera.