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    "headline": "French far-right leader Bardella defends Farage over Reform UK finances scandal",
    "dek": "Jordan Bardella defended Nigel Farage, calling the Reform UK funding scandal a political hit job.",
    "prose": "Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally, said on 2026-09-04 that Nigel Farage is the victim of targeted political hit jobs aimed at destabilising Reform UK. [^1]\n\nNigel Farage said Reform UK broke no law regarding political donations. [^2]\n\nNigel Farage told Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham that Channel 4 News' allegations that his party breached political donation rules were made because 'they're scared of us'. [^3]\n\nReform UK suspended two senior officials after they were filmed in an undercover investigation appearing to plot to circumvent electoral laws on foreign donations. [^4]\n\nReform UK launched an independent investigation into the allegations and stated that no further comment would be made while the investigation is ongoing. [^5]\n\nReform UK officials James Orr and Dan Jukes stepped down from their senior roles following allegations that the party breached political donation rules by accepting funding from an overseas company for three polls. [^6]\n\nRival parties reported Reform UK to the police after Channel 4 News claimed the party took funding from a US firm for three polls costing £32,500. [^7]",
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