Reform UK leader Farage faces parliamentary probe over nearly $7m gift

"Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is facing an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over a $6.7m (5 million pound) gift from a party donor, days after the anti-immigrant party emerged as the biggest winner in local and regional elections. A spokesperson for Reform UK denied any wrongdoing on Wednesday, telling the Reuters news agency that [Farage] has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken. We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all, the spokesperson added."

"Farage said he accepted the donation from Thailand-based billionaire and crypto investor Christopher Harborne to pay for his personal security before he announced his candidacy in the 2024 national election that brought him into Parliament. He said it was not a political donation, but rival political parties in April accused him of breaking rules, which require members of parliament to declare donations received in the year preceding an election within one month of taking office."

"If the investigation finds Farage committed a serious breach of parliamentary declaration rules, he could be suspended from the House of Commons for a period of time. A suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition, potentially forcing him to stand in a special election for his seat. About two-thirds of Reform's funding last year came from Harborne, according to Electoral Commission data."

Nigel Farage faces an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over a $6.7m (5 million pound) gift from a party donor. Reform UK denies wrongdoing and says the gift was personal, unconditional, and did not break rules. Farage said he accepted the donation from Thailand-based billionaire and crypto investor Christopher Harborne to pay for personal security before announcing his 2024 election candidacy. Rival parties accused him of breaking rules requiring MPs to declare donations received in the year before an election within one month of taking office. Reform UK’s recent election gains have increased scrutiny of its funding sources. If a serious breach is found, Farage could be suspended, and a suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition and a special election. Electoral Commission data shows about two-thirds of Reform’s funding last year came from Harborne.

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