Nigel Farage is said to have purchased a £1.4 million house shortly after receiving a £5 million "gift" from Christopher Harbourne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire. The Reform UK leader is under investigation by the Commons sleaze watchdog for failing to declare the donation, which was made weeks before he stood in the 2024 general election.
Property Purchase Raises Questions
Property records seen by Sky News indicate that Farage completed the cash purchase of the property in May 2024. Farage has previously insisted there is "no case to answer" regarding the gift, which he claimed was necessary to fund private security for the rest of his life. However, the timing of the house purchase has sparked further scrutiny.
Farage dismissed the report as "fake news by the establishment media who will do anything to hurt Reform." In a post on X, he stated: "I had passed proof-of-funds and the relevant checks before receiving the gift. Sky News did not publish that part of our statement despite knowing the truth."
Spokesperson's Clarification
A spokesman for Farage explained: "The relevant chronology is straightforward. The offer and purchase process for the property commenced before the gift. Mr Farage had already passed proof of funds and the relevant checks before receiving the gift. The purchase was therefore already proceeding independently of it."
Labour Accuses Farage of Cover-Up
Labour has accused Farage of attempting to "cover up" the controversial donation. Anna Turley MP, chair of the Labour Party, stated: "Nigel Farage has repeatedly dodged questions on his multi-million-pound 'gift'. Now we can see why – this totally stinks. Farage must urgently come clean with the public as to what this £5 million was used for and why he failed to declare it."
Turley added: "The facts are simple. Farage took £5 million from a crypto billionaire, tried to cover it up, and bought an expensive house after taking the money. Not only that, he promised to cut taxes on crypto transactions. It's open and shut conflict of interest. Farage may keep trying to avoid scrutiny, but he simply can’t be trusted - he isn’t on your side."
Farage's Defense
Farage has previously defended the gift, stating that the money "was given to me so that I would be safe and secure for the rest of my life." He added: "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. I’m very much on my own and will be for the rest of my life, and I have to face up to that grim reality. Christopher is an ardent supporter who is deeply concerned for my safety."
Harbourne's Donations to Reform
Christopher Harbourne has separately donated millions to Reform, including a £9 million donation in August 2025 – the largest single donation in history to a political party from a living person.
Parliamentary Investigation
Farage now faces an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over the gift. If the probe finds a serious breach of parliamentary rules, he could be suspended from the Commons. A suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition, potentially forcing him to contest his Clacton seat again.
A Reform UK spokesperson said: "Mr Farage’s office is in communications with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken. We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all."
