Malcolm Offord, the multi-millionaire Scottish leader of Reform UK, has been challenged to reveal how much he has donated to the party after two months of avoiding questions from the Sunday Mail. In late April, Offord admitted to giving a “small amount” to Nigel Farage’s outfit, but he and Reform have repeatedly refused to specify the amount or the date of the donation.
Background of the Donation
Offord, a former Tory donor who previously boasted about owning six houses, five cars, and six boats, was unveiled as Farage’s latest Reform recruit in December. At that time, he told the Sunday Mail he had not donated to Reform and declined to say whether he would in the future. In January, Farage appointed him as the party’s leader in Scotland, ahead of the Holyrood election. In April, Offord told STV he had donated a “small amount” to Reform “very recently” but provided no further details.
Calls for Transparency
Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain said: “Malcolm Offord talks more rubbish than his boss’ opponent in Clacton, Count Binface. If he is serious about being open and upfront, the very least he can do is respond to these questions. People should not have to assume that Malcolm Offord has bought six houses, five cars, six boats and the leadership of one political party - they should know whether that is the case.” Labour’s Jackie Baillie added: “If Lord Offord is as committed to transparency as he claims, then he should have no issue with setting out how much he has donated to Reform.”
Wider Scandal and Electoral Commission Filings
The demand for clarity comes as Farage is embroiled in a scandal over reports he failed to disclose funding from convicted fraudster George Cottrell for staffing, security, and housing. Farage is also being probed over a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire. He pre-emptively stood down as an MP to trigger a by-election in Clacton, with his best-known opponent being Count Binface. The Sunday Mail has found no record of Offord’s donation in Electoral Commission filings, and the party did not respond to a recent request for clarification.
Offord’s Political History
Offord was at the centre of a cronyism row in Boris Johnson’s government in 2022 when he was made a Conservative peer and given a role as a junior minister. He had given more than £150,000 to the Tories in political donations. He said he was ditching his Tory peerage when he joined Reform.
