Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has announced he will resign as an MP for Clacton and fight a by-election, following intense scrutiny over undeclared financial support from a long-term ally. In a video statement, Farage insisted he had broken no laws and accused the media of harassment, framing the contest as a 'people versus the establishment' battle.
Allegations of Undeclared Support
The controversy centres on George Cottrell, a long-time associate of Farage, who reportedly provided undeclared funding for security and staffing in the year before Farage was elected. According to reports, Cottrell recruited and paid three staff to work on Farage's social media before the general election, and has continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian property near Buckingham Palace.
Under Commons rules, new MPs must register any gifts worth more than £300 received in the previous 12 months, unless the gift could not reasonably be thought to relate to their political activities. Farage is already under a parliamentary standards investigation over a £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP.
Farage Denies Wrongdoing
In his statement, Farage said: 'I have done nothing wrong. I have not broken the law in any way at all.' He criticised the standards investigations as 'now being used as a political tool' and lashed out at the media, particularly the Sunday Times and Sky News, over their reporting.
Farage expressed anger over media treatment of his family, saying: 'For some reason, last week the editor of the Times newspaper decided to publish a picture of where my daughter lives. There is no public interest in my daughter whatsoever.' He claimed broadcasters had 'harangued' her, though Sky News denied contacting any family members about the story.
By-Election Announcement
Farage declared he would not be 'judged' by the media, adding: 'I've decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the establishment by-election. It's a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go, and that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election.'
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have called for both the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to investigate the support from Cottrell. Farage was elected as Clacton MP in 2024, and the by-election is expected to be a high-profile test of Reform UK's electoral strength.
