Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has been interviewed by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over an investigation into whether he should have declared a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, reviving a probe that could threaten his seat in Parliament.
The investigation into the alleged failure to register an interest resumed after Farage won the Clacton by-election. Under Commons rules, MPs must register gifts worth more than £300 received in the previous 12 months, unless the gift could not reasonably be seen as connected to their political activities.
Thirty-minute interview at Westminster
Farage told the Sunday Times he had been interviewed by Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, in the Palace of Westminster last month. The interview lasted around half an hour.
The Reform leader has insisted the gift was not political and has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the money was used exclusively to cover his personal security expenses. If the commissioner rules against him, however, Farage could face suspension from the House of Commons — a sanction that could trigger a by-election in his Clacton constituency.
Record donations reignite funding debate
Harborne is one of two crypto-billionaires who have donated £72 million to Reform UK — the largest political donation in British history, shattering the previous £10 million record left to the Conservatives in 2022. The twin £36 million gifts came from Harborne and Ben Delo and have reignited calls for a blanket cap on political donations, going beyond existing plans to restrict overseas funding.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Farage said he had expected a far worse public reaction to the record donations but had instead encountered what he described as grudging respect. He framed the money as a vital equaliser that would let Reform compete with established parties. Harborne, who was based in Thailand, was reported in June to have registered to vote in Hampshire.
Farage also acknowledged that Reform has entered what he called a “trough” in opinion polls after earlier leading Labour, pointing to reduced visibility and damaging headlines. The standards probe casts a long shadow over what should have been a moment of financial triumph for the party.
Source: The Oldham Times