Nigel Farage has described a £5 million personal donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire as a 'reward' for his decades-long Brexit campaigning. The Reform UK leader insisted he 'cannot be bought by anyone' following the gift from Thai-based entrepreneur Christopher Harborne, which occurred shortly before Farage announced his candidacy for the 2024 general election.
Unconditional Reward or Security Concern?
Speaking to The Sun, Farage stated that the seven-figure sum was given to him as a 'reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years', emphasising that it was provided on a 'completely unconditional basis'. However, he had previously claimed the money was intended for security purposes, given that he has been the target of attacks and threats. 'I have tried and failed in the past to get security funded by the Home Office, and I don't think the State will ever help me,' he said in April. 'Christopher is an ardent supporter who is deeply concerned for my safety.'
Farage reiterated yesterday: 'It's very unusual for someone to give up 27 years of their life to campaign for something. And this was given to me on an unconditional basis, completely unconditional basis. But frankly, it was given as a reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years.'
Parliamentary Investigation
The Reform leader now faces a parliamentary investigation into his acceptance of the £5 million gift, which was received before he was elected as an MP. The Commons sleaze watchdog will examine whether Farage breached Parliament's rules by accepting donations from Harborne, who has donated £12 million to Reform and its predecessor, The Brexit Party.
New MPs are required to declare any donations received in the 12 months before their election within one month of winning their seats. If the probe finds Farage acted improperly, he could face suspension from the House of Commons. A suspension of ten days or more could trigger a recall petition, potentially forcing him to defend his seat in Clacton, Essex.
Farage Defends Integrity
Farage hit out at the investigation, claiming that no one, 'not even Elon Musk', could bribe him. He said: 'He [Musk] wanted to give us a load of money if I said certain things publicly, and I refused. I didn't do it so I made an enemy of Elon Musk, but that shows you I'm my own man, I make my own mind up.'
However, further questions arose after it emerged that Farage paid for a £1.4 million property in 2024 in cash, shortly after receiving the £5 million donation. Farage branded the Sky News report as 'fake news by the establishment media who will do anything to hurt Reform'. A spokesman for the Reform leader stated that the offer and purchase process for the property 'commenced before the gift'.
Political Reactions
A Conservative Party spokesman said £5 million is 'an enormous amount', adding that Farage 'needs to explain how he got it, why he got it, and why he didn't declare it'. They added: 'If there is a simple answer, then he should welcome these investigations. But like so often with Reform, there is something very fishy about the whole story.'
Labour Party chairman Anna Turley accused Farage of 'avoiding legitimate questions since news of his billionaire backer's 'gift'', stating that 'it is right that he faces a proper investigation'.
