Nigel Farage has stated that Reform UK would “gladly” accept further donations from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne, who has registered to vote in the United Kingdom. The British-Thai cryptocurrency entrepreneur donated £5 million to Farage ahead of the 2024 general election, before Farage announced his candidacy as an MP.
Farage is currently under investigation by Parliament’s standards commissioner regarding the £5 million gift, which critics argue should have been declared. Harborne has contributed more than £25 million in total to Reform UK, the party led by Farage.
Harborne's UK Voter Registration
The Times reported on Monday that Harborne has registered to vote in Britain. Farage expressed he was “pleased” about this development. When asked whether Reform UK would accept additional donations from Harborne, Farage replied: “Gladly. Of course. Of course we would and we’re very pleased he has re-registered back in the UK.”
Farage made these comments ahead of a rally at the Holiday Inn Norwich North on Monday evening, supporting Reform’s candidate in the Norfolk police and crime commissioner (PCC) election. The election was triggered after the incumbent stood down earlier this month.
Norfolk PCC Election Context
The Government announced last year that the role of PCC will be abolished in 2028, when the next nationwide elections are scheduled, aiming to save at least £100 million. Reform’s candidate in the Norfolk contest is former Met Police detective Colin Sutton, who led the investigation that brought serial killer Levi Bellfield to justice.
Asked about Reform’s prospects following the party’s second-place finish to Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, Farage expressed confidence that Sutton would win. “Makerfield we got 16,000 votes and hoped for a few more but we were never going to win that by-election looking back on it, because there was a tidal wave of support for getting rid of Keir Starmer,” said Farage. “Ironically we won seats in the Wigan area on May 7 saying vote Reform, get Starmer out. But now it was vote Burnham and get Starmer out. That was a pretty unusual, freakish by-election. Look, I think we have a candidate who is eminently qualified to do this job and I’m confident he will win.”
Farage's Pitch to Voters
Farage said he had “no pitch for those who wish to vote for Restore” Britain’s candidate in the PCC poll. Restore Britain was founded by Great Yarmouth MP after his fractious exit from Reform UK. A party linked to Restore Britain, Great Yarmouth First, won nine seats in Norfolk’s local elections last month. “All I would say to them is I don’t hold anything for that party. But I say to the voters, maybe not the activists, Colin Sutton is the most famous living detective in Britain. Big cases like the Milly Dowler case and much else. And you know what, you might as well just for the moment put aside any loyalty. I would say this also to Labour, Conservative and Green voters. This man is clearly eminently qualified for the job so vote on ability.”
Sutton's Vision for Policing
Sutton said that although the PCC role is to be axed in 2028, there is “still two years to achieve things.” He aims to “refocus policing from the city and the towns to a rural area to a degree.” Sutton, a police officer for 30 years, half in uniform and half as a detective, said: “I ran a murder squad for the last nine years of my service and we had some spectacular successes. The reason we had those spectacular successes was not that I’m the greatest detective since Sherlock Holmes. It’s actually the fact I was able to build really effective teams who saw my vision and followed it. I can translate that to being PCC.”
Farage was greeted with applause as he took the stage at Monday’s rally, with music blaring from loudspeakers. He criticised “two tier policing” during his address, and Sutton was later welcomed to the stage after a campaign video played on large screens.
Norfolk PCC Election Details
The Norfolk PCC election will take place on Thursday, July 16. The candidates are: Christopher Brown (Liberal Democrat), Mark Buckton (Restore Britain), Beth Jones (Labour Party), Marcus Pearcey (Independent), Martin Schmierer (Green Party), Colin Sutton (Reform UK), and Matthew Taylor (Conservative Party).
