Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is facing a formal investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog over a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The payment was received weeks before Farage announced his candidacy for the 2024 general election.
The parliamentary commissioner for standards, Daniel Greenberg, has launched an inquiry under rule 5 of the code of conduct, which requires MPs to register all current financial interests and any registrable benefits received in the 12 months before their election. Farage has argued the gift was intended for personal security costs and therefore did not need to be declared.
If found to have committed a serious breach, Farage could face suspension from the Commons. A suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition, potentially forcing a by-election in his Clacton constituency. The investigation has no fixed timetable.
A Reform UK spokesperson said: 'Mr Farage's office is in communications with the parliamentary commissioner for standards. He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.' The party also postponed a speech by Farage in Sunderland, citing 'the chaos in government and an impending Labour leadership race'.
Farage also faces a potential second inquiry after the Electoral Commission received a complaint from the Conservatives over the £5 million. The commission is considering the complaint and will respond by the end of the week. A Conservative spokesperson described the sum as 'enormous' and called for transparency.
Harborne has donated £12 million to Reform UK in 2025, including a £9 million donation last year, the largest single donation by a living person to a British political party. Reform MP Danny Kruger reiterated that the gift was not a political donation but for Farage's personal security, which the government does not fund.
