Top spies must investigate whether Nigel Farage's phone was actually hacked as he claims, MPs have demanded. The Reform UK leader alleged that details of his £5 million gift from a Thailand-based billionaire became public only after his device was compromised by hackers linked to the Kremlin.
The Liberal Democrats have written to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), calling it 'unthinkable' that a party leader would carry a phone potentially accessed by a foreign adversary. Deputy leader Daisy Cooper said: 'In making this public claim, he has effectively admitted that as an elected UK politician, his phone is a hotbed for Russian kompromat.'
Cooper added: 'If a political party leader has had his communications compromised by a foreign adversary, it poses an alarming threat to our entire democracy. To leave a phone that is allegedly under the control of the Russian state uninvestigated is completely unthinkable.' She urged the NCSC to investigate without delay.
Mr Farage was gifted £5 million by crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne shortly before the 2024 general election. The gift, which Mr Farage claims pays for his security but also called a reward for Brexit campaigning, was not declared. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner is investigating the undeclared sum.
Former NCSC head Ciaran Martin dismissed the hacking claim as 'entirely unsubstantiated'. In a separate letter, Lib Dem frontbencher Lisa Smart called for Mr Farage to be blocked from government WiFi and banned from bringing his allegedly compromised phone to meetings with senior Whitehall figures.
A Reform UK spokesperson said: 'It has been reported to the relevant authorities. It would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations are ongoing.'
