Reform UK’s former chairman says Nigel should take a ‘break’ from ‘ruthless’ politics

Nigel Farage should “take a break” from politics after a bruising week for the party leader over a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire, the former head of Reform England has suggested.

Dr David Bull, who was in the job until May this year, said he was speaking as a “friend and colleague”, days after Mr Farage discussed the donation issue in his first major interview in weeks.

The former Ukip leader has been accused of falling into disrepair following a drop in public appearances following news that he was given millions by party donor Christopher Harborne weeks before he stands in the 2024 general election.

The Commons’ dirty watchdog is now investigating Mr Farage for failing to declare the money.

Appearing on Channel 5 this morning, Dr Bull said: “The party is much bigger than Nigel.

“Politics is a brutal business, and I think that’s also one of the other things I would tell you. [Farage] As a friend and colleague he needs to take a break and take a break, really,” he added in comments reported by MailOnline.

The Conservatives took advantage of the reports to tweet: “BREAKING NEWS: Reform Party.

“With everyone talking about the media car crash over @Nigel_Farage’s secret £5m donation, the fallout is mounting…”

Appearing on BBC Breakfast, Mr Farage insisted he could only spend £5 million “on cars”. [he] He told reporters who questioned him that what he did with money was “none of your business.”

The interview sparked fresh questions about the cash, which Mr Farage had previously insisted he was about to pay for private security for the rest of his life, but later also claimed was his “reward for 27 years of campaigning for Brexit”.

It’s been a tough few weeks for Reformation after a year of topping the opinion polls.

The party also suffered a major setback last week when it lost the Makerfield by-election to Labour’s Andy Burnham.

Dr Bull chaired Reform for less than a year before being replaced by Lee Anderson last month.

He said he left that position this morning because he was “too physically unwell” and added that the job “almost killed me”.

He spoke about the difficulty of forming a political party and also touched on the rise of Restore Britain, which has overtaken the Reformation on the right of British politics.

Dr Bull warned: “I think we’re going through such a rollercoaster and it’s quite interesting to build a political party.

“I’ll just mention Restore and Rupert Lowe, for example. I think Rupert’s finding is that it’s incredibly difficult to start a political party.”

Westminster’s standards watchdog is now investigating whether Mr Farage broke Commons rules by not declaring £5m donations following his election in 2024.

He could be removed from the House of Commons if the investigation finds he has seriously breached parliamentary rules. A suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition, which could result in him having to fight for his Clacton seat again.