Reform UK says it is in talks with watchdog over Farage gift inquiry

LONDON: Reform UK said on Wednesday it was in contact with the parliamentary watchdog after a report said party leader Nigel Farage was being investigated over a 5 million pound gift that was not declared.

After the BBC reported that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards was examining the donation, Reform — which emerged as the biggest winner in last week’s local elections — confirmed discussions were under way, while insisting no rules had been breached.

“He (Farage) has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken,” a spokesman for the party said. “We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all.”

Farage has said the money came from Thailand-based billionaire and crypto investor Christopher Harborne and was used to cover his personal security before he announced he would contest the 2024 general election that later brought him into parliament.

According to Farage, the payment was not a political donation. However, rival parties said in April that he may have broken parliamentary rules requiring members of parliament to declare donations received in the year before an election within one month of taking office.

Possible consequences if breach is found

If the inquiry concludes that Farage committed a serious violation of parliamentary declaration rules, he could face suspension from the House of Commons. A suspension lasting 10 days or more could lead to a recall petition, which could in turn force him to contest a by-election for his seat.

The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner’s Office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Donations under renewed scrutiny

The issue has drawn attention to Reform UK’s funding as the party’s support has risen sharply. Reform has led every national opinion poll since early last year, increasing scrutiny of where its money comes from.

Electoral Commission data shows that around two-thirds of Reform’s funding last year came from Harborne.

Anna Turley, chair of the governing Labour Party, said Farage had declined to address valid questions about the matter.

“It’s one rule for them, and another for everyone else,” she said. “They are not on your side.”

Farage’s political opponents say support from a wealthy overseas donor undercuts the image he presents of himself as an anti-establishment figure representing ordinary people.

Reform deputy leader Richard Tice said at the weekend that voters were already aware of the gift and still backed the party in large numbers as it made major gains in local government elections in England and in devolved elections in Scotland and Wales.

Earlier declaration breaches

Before the 2024 election, Farage had said he did not plan to stand. He reversed that decision about a month before polling day.

Earlier this year, Farage apologised after parliamentary authorities found that he had inadvertently committed 17 breaches of rules on declaring financial interests, including payments from Google and Elon Musk’s X Corp.

Parliament’s Standards Commissioner said those failures were unintentional and were caused by staffing and other administrative problems.