Nigel Farage faces probe over £5m gift he failed to declare | Politics | News

Nigel Farage will face a watchdog inquiry to decide whether he broke the rules by not declaring a £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency businessman. The Reform England leader received the money from billionaire party supporter Christopher Harborne before he became an MP.

His opponents say he should declare the seven-figure gift on his list of interests in 2024. The Conservative Party has written to the standards watchdog to demand an investigation. Following the confirmation of the inquiry, the Conservatives said the gift was “an enormous amount, more than most people will earn in their lifetime”.

A party spokesman said Mr Farage needed to “explain how he got it, why he got it and why he didn’t declare it”.

He added: “If there is a simple answer, then these investigations should be welcomed. But as is often the case with the Reformation, there is something fishy about the whole story.”

But Reform UK has hit back at any allegations of inaccuracy and a party spokesman told the press that Mr Farage’s office was “in contact” with the watchdog.

He added that the Clacton MP “always made it clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken”.

The spokesman said Reform UK was “looking forward to seeing this completely abolished”.

Mr Farage has long claimed the gift was given to ensure his safety after a series of attacks were threatened or carried out against him.

During the 2024 General Election campaign, an OnlyFans contributor threw a milkshake at her.

In a separate incident, Mr Farage said someone tried to firebomb his house.

But Labor leader Anna Turley countered him, saying Mr Farage had “avoided legitimate questions since news of his billionaire backer’s ‘gift'”.

He added that it was “right that he faces a proper investigation.”

His party is currently in the grip of a leadership crisis as a growing number of Leftist MPs call on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to step aside.

Ms Turley claimed “they are not on your side”, arguing that “Farage and Reform clearly believe it is one rule for them, one rule for everyone”.