Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of “dodging questions” about a £5m personal gift from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The gift, first revealed by the Guardian, was given to Farage months before the 2024 general election and is now under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Starmer said: “The £5m question still remains. Why is the leader of Reform dodging questions about his donation and why did he keep it secret in the first place?” Farage has changed his explanation for the gift, initially claiming it was for personal security and later saying it was a reward for his Brexit campaigning. He insists no declaration was needed as he was not an MP at the time.
The standards commissioner is examining whether the gift should have been registered, as rules require MPs to declare money received with political relevance from up to a year before taking office. Starmer’s comments came in response to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, who urged a cap on political donations. The issue has gained traction after Harborne donated over £12m to Reform UK in the past year, and another crypto entrepreneur, Ben Delo, gave £4m.
Starmer did not commit to banning large donations but said the government would “do whatever is necessary to protect our democracy from foreign influence and dirty money.” He highlighted a moratorium on crypto donations and a cap on overseas donors, which may prevent Harborne from further donations unless he relocates to the UK. Delo is expected to move back from Hong Kong to continue funding Reform UK.
Farage has faced intense pressure since the gift emerged, reducing media appearances. A Sky News report revealed he purchased a Surrey property for £1.4m shortly after receiving the Harborne gift, though Farage says the offer was made earlier and the purchase funded from his own earnings.
