Nigel Farage faces parliamentary watchdog probe over £5m gift from crypto billionaire
Nigel Farage will face an investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner over a £5 million gift he received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP. Independent he understands.
Mr Farage was referred to the watchdog after admitting he received the money from Mr Harborne, a Thailand-based British national who helped Reform (and its predecessor the Brexit Party) in 2024.
The Reform England leader had previously insisted there was “no case to answer” over the gift, which he said was not linked to his political activities and would have to pay for private security for the rest of his life. He reportedly received the money in 2024, before announcing he would stand for Clacton in that year’s general election.
Mr Farage said the money was “given to me to keep me safe and secure for the rest of my life”.
“I have tried and failed in the past to have security funded by the Home Office and I don’t think the state will ever help me,” he added.
“I am very lonely and will be for the rest of my life, and I have to face this cruel truth.
“Christopher is an ardent supporter who is deeply concerned about my safety.”
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Mr Farage’s office has been in contact with the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. He has always made clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.
“We look forward to seeing this eliminated once and for all.”
Mr Harborne has donated millions separately to Reform, including a £9 million donation in August 2025; This is the largest donation to a political party from a living person in history.
On Sunday, Reform’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, said £5 million was “probably not enough” to keep Mr Farage safe.
He told the BBC Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “The rules are very clear and Nigel followed the rules.”
Asked whether the cash had been spent on other political activities, Mr Tice said: “Nigel’s safety and security is absolutely paramount. And having spent so much time with Nigel, I know quite frankly that £5m is probably not enough.”
He added that it was a “personal gift based on safety and security.”
