Nigel Farage has offered a new explanation for a £5m gift from a Reform UK donor, stating it was a “reward” for his decades-long campaign for Brexit. The Reform UK leader previously said the money from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne was intended for his personal security.
In an interview with the Sun, Farage said the gift was “unconditional” and given as a reward for 27 years of Brexit campaigning. This contradicts his earlier claim that the money was “purely private” and not political. Harborne had said he gave the funds to support Farage’s security for life.
The £5m, first reported by the Guardian, is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner to determine whether it should have been declared under MP rules. Farage expressed no concern about the inquiry, saying, “I’m not the least bit concerned.”
The change in account follows reports that Farage bought a house for £1.4m in cash weeks after receiving the gift. Labour chair Anna Turley called on Farage to explain the payment, saying, “Farage took £5m from a crypto billionaire, tried to cover it up, and bought an expensive house after taking the money.”
A Reform UK spokesperson said the property purchase process began before the gift, with proof of funds already provided. Farage dismissed questions about his earnings, stating, “No one cares. They care if you’re a crook, which I’m not.”
