Farage’s anti-WHO campaign moves to US with new board members
12 reported3 unconfirmed
Nigel Farage’s Action on World Health campaign is relocating to the US state of Delaware as a charitable foundation and grassroots non-profit, according to a report. The campaign, co-founded by Farage, has hired his longtime friend and Brexit campaigner Andy Wigmore for its board, alongside American lobbyist Gerry Gunster, who worked on Farage’s leave campaign for the 2016 EU referendum. Farage serves as honorary chair of the group, which pushes for replacing the World Health Organization, claiming it is too close to China, “compromised by private funding” and “far left”. The move to the US and solicitation of donations in dollars follows at least 10 trips Farage has made there since becoming an MP in July 2024. The group’s website now appeals for donations by payment card or US bank account and includes a form for people worldwide to email politicians against the WHO, but does not include an option for UK residents. Other board members include Amanda Moslé Friedman, a US businesswoman and associate of Farage who works for IP3, and Greg Swenson, chair of Republicans Overseas UK. In 2024, the Guardian reported the group had links to the nicotine industry, with co-founder David Roach’s company previously providing secretariat services to the Global Initiative on Novel Nicotine and lobbying for a vaping company called ANDS. Roach stated at the time that no vaping or novel nicotine companies were funding the group and that his consulting firm was not paid for its services, adding the group had no public list of funders due to confidentiality. The WHO has previously accused the group of spreading misinformation about its international treaty on pandemic preparedness.
What’s reported
Action on World Health, co-founded by Nigel Farage, is relocating to Delaware as a charitable foundation and grassroots non-profit.
New board members include Andy Wigmore and American lobbyist Gerry Gunster.
Farage is honorary chair of the group, which seeks to replace the WHO.
The group claims the WHO is too close to China, “compromised by private funding” and “far left”.
Farage has made at least 10 trips to the US since becoming an MP in July 2024.
The group’s website accepts donations by payment card or US bank account and has a form for people worldwide to email politicians, but not for UK residents.
Other board members: Amanda Moslé Friedman (US businesswoman, IP3) and Greg Swenson (chair of Republicans Overseas UK).
In 2024, the Guardian reported links to the nicotine industry; co-founder David Roach’s company provided secretariat services to the Global Initiative on Novel Nicotine and lobbied for vaping company ANDS.
Roach stated no vaping or novel nicotine companies funded the group, and his firm was not paid for its services; the group has no public funders list due to confidentiality.
The WHO has accused the group of spreading misinformation about its pandemic preparedness treaty.
A spokesperson for Spotlight on Corruption called for stricter rules on MPs’ second jobs.
Action on World Health, Reform, and Roach did not respond to a request for comment on the relocation.
Open questions
Whether any vaping or novel nicotine companies are currently funding Action on World Health.
The full list of funders for the group.
Why the group’s website does not include an option for UK residents to email their politicians.
Key figures
Nigel Farage, honorary chair of Action on World Health, Reform UK leader, MP since July 2024
Andy Wigmore, board member, longtime friend and Brexit campaigner
Gerry Gunster, board member, American lobbyist and political strategist
Amanda Moslé Friedman, board member, US businesswoman, works for IP3
Greg Swenson, board member, chair of Republicans Overseas UK
David Roach, co-founder of Action on World Health, Reform UK local election candidate
Spotlight on Corruption spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
