Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned Nigel Farage's plan to trigger a by-election in Clacton as a stunt that disrespects local voters, as major political parties announced they would not field candidates against the Reform UK leader.
Major parties boycott Clacton by-election
Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, and Rupert Lowe’s Restore Britain have all confirmed they will not stand candidates in the contest. Satirical candidate Count Binface appears to be Mr Farage’s main electoral rival so far.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Ms Cooper said: “The by-election shouldn’t be happening, it’s Nigel Farage who has chosen, I think, frankly, to disrespect the people of Clacton by just doing this. This is a stunt that is all about his own interest. It’s not about the people of Clacton. It’s not about the country. He was elected in a general election.”
Farage faces scrutiny over gifts
Mr Farage announced his intention to trigger a by-election as he faces investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over a £5 million gift from Reform-backing billionaire Christopher Harborne. The Reform UK leader claims the money was needed for security due to multiple threats against him.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis, attending the Nato summit in Turkey, said Mr Farage “understands the strength of feeling” among the public about the investigation. “I think he senses that he is in real trouble and has taken action to try and get in front of that,” Mr Jarvis added.
The Reform leader is also reportedly facing another probe over support provided by convicted fraudster George Cottrell, who allegedly recruited and paid three staff to work on Mr Farage’s social media before the general election and allowed him to use a five-storey Georgian property near Buckingham Palace.
Investigation suspended but may resume
The investigation into the £5 million gift by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg is suspended after Mr Farage’s resignation but will resume if he returns to Parliament. If found to have breached rules and suspended for more than 10 sitting days, a recall petition could trigger another Clacton by-election.
Mr Farage maintains he has done nothing wrong and said the people of Clacton “should be the judges of my actions,” accusing the media and political opponents of an establishment effort to attack him.
Cost of by-election and suspicious activity report
The Reform UK chief offered for his party to pay the cost of the vote after criticism it was a waste of taxpayer money. However, a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said election law prevents individuals or parties from directly paying for election costs.
A Guardian report revealed that bankers filed a suspicious activity report (SAR) with the National Crime Agency in May 2024 over concerns the gift from Mr Harborne could be laundered money. Mr Farage told the newspaper he did not know about the SAR and had no reason to doubt the ultimate source of the money.
Deputy Reform UK leader Richard Tice accused the NCA of leaking his and Mr Farage’s information, writing to the agency demanding an inquiry.
