UKIP, the ‘rogue builder’ and a matter of trust

NOTE: This article was published on 10 June 2025Tomorrow is polling day in Severn Ward of Stroud District Council where one of the candidates is UKIP Chairman Ben ‘Rogue Builder’ Walker. So, to bring to a close our public service series (on our social media accounts) looking back at Ben’s life and crimes, we ask…

NOTE: This article was published on 10 June 2025
Ben Walker
Ben Walker

Tomorrow is polling day in Severn Ward of Stroud District Council where one of the candidates is UKIP Chairman Ben ‘Rogue Builder’ Walker. So, to bring to a close our public service series (on our social media accounts) looking back at Ben’s life and crimes, we ask a question to which we have no answer.

Curious trust

Hey, Ben Walker, what is the purpose of the curious trust, that you alone control, and which in turn controls both UKIP Ltd and UKIP itself?

UKIP Trust doc
Company records showing Ben Walker’s control over the trust that has control over UKIP

We have been told it seems to have gone through the UKIP NEC without discussion.

The sadly-deceased Pat Bryant, then UKIP’s Agricultural Spokesperson, told us: “My understanding is that the NEC were presented with a fait a complete (sic). Nodding donkeys waived (sic) it through.”

Innocent explanations

So, what is it there for? Does it receive funds, such as bequests from deceased members?

And if so, where are these funds accounted for, and what are they used for?

No doubt there are perfectly innocent explanations for all of this.

But perhaps it’s time to clear it up.

Thanks.


Nick Davies

Nick Davies

To investigate fascists takes real courage and unusual commitment. The government, police, mainstream media occasionally take a look, but in the UK only Searchlight have kept at it, relentlessly and admirably, regardless of threat or obstacle. It’s journalism that matters. A rare thing.

Nick Davies
Multi-award-winning investigative journalist and writer

Peter Hain

Peter Hain, founder of the ANL and friend of Searchlight

British Jews have been persecuted over the centuries; British blacks since the Windrush generation of the 1950s; British Muslims, especially after the Islamist 9/11 and then 7/7 terrorist attacks in New York 2001 and London 2005. But until the last few years there has not been a simultaneous threat against all three British communities of Jewish, Black and Muslim Britons – meaning the need for Searchlight has never been greater.

Peter Hain
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minster

Paul Holborow

Paul Holborow

In the campaign against the National Front, Searchlight provided a rich and utterly reliable basis for much ANL propaganda – particularly with reference to the two leading NF figures, John Tyndall and Martin Webster. The appearance of Tyndall in full nazi uniform, drawn from the archives of Searchlight, was a key part of ANL propaganda, coupled with deeply damaging nazi quotes from Webster.

Paul Holborow
Founding member of the ANL and National Organiser 1977-81

Professor Colin Holmes

Professor Colin Holmes
Everyone who wants to understand contemporary racism and its historical background needs to read Searchlight.
Professor Colin Holmes
University of Sheffield

Alf Dubs

Lord Alf Dubs

Searchlight’s voice is more important than ever, and I am delighted that it will now be available to a wider audience than ever before in its new incarnation online. Searchlight has been extremely helpful over the years in exposing the far right, corruption, criminality and the murky links between organised crime and powerful interests in the UK and abroad. I wish Searchlight the very best.

Alf Dubs
Labour peer, former MP and Cabinet Minister, and Kindertransport child

Paul Nowak

Paul Nowak

The essence of trade unionism is solidarity, fairness and equality – for all workers – from all backgrounds. That’s why our fight against the far-right has always been part of our movement’s DNA. Searchlight is an incredibly important resource for trade unions and members to understand the contemporary tactics of far-right activity. Their work and intelligence gathering over the years have been incredibly insightful for the work we do, and how we fight the scourge of fascism.

Paul Nowak
TUC General Secretary

Top ten most read