Nigel Farage has resigned as an MP, triggering a by-election in Clacton, after saying the “hounding” of his daughter at home was the “final straw”. The Reform UK leader stepped down on Tuesday amid ongoing scrutiny of his finances, including an undeclared £5 million gift from donor Christopher Harborne.
Farage's Statement and Allegations
In a video message, Farage insisted he had done “nothing wrong” and accused Westminster opponents of using sleaze investigations as a “political tool”. He said the media had “harangued” his family, particularly his daughter, who has no political involvement. “There is no public interest in my daughter whatsoever,” he stated. “The issue with my daughter was the final straw. Enough is enough.”
Farage is being investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over the £5 million gift from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which he said was needed for security due to multiple threats. He also faces another probe over support from convicted fraudster George Cottrell, who reportedly recruited and paid staff for Farage's social media before the general election and provided a rented property near Buckingham Palace.
By-Election and Political Reactions
Farage framed the upcoming Clacton by-election as a “people versus the establishment” race. Reform UK has offered to cover the cost, estimated at over £200,000. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch announced her party will not stand a candidate in this by-election, calling it a “fake by-election” to distract from the standards investigation. “We will be standing a candidate in the real by-election, which will follow the standards investigation into Nigel Farage’s fishy finances,” she said.
Restore Britain’s leader Rupert Lowe also declined to participate, stating his party will only stand in a second by-election later this year if Farage is found guilty. Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer branded the resignation a “desperate stunt”, while Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey called on all parties to “stand aside and refuse to give oxygen to Farage’s vanity project”.
Future Implications
Farage's resignation suspends the standards investigation, but it will resume if he wins the by-election and returns to Parliament. If found in breach and suspended for over 10 sitting days, a recall petition could trigger another by-election. Reform MP Robert described the possibility of a second by-election as “utterly absurd”, but added, “Nigel has got the courage to put himself forward.”
Farage has received backing from Donald Trump, who shared an article accusing the media of bias against Reform. Trump is also said to have personally called Farage to congratulate him on his political success.
