Nigel Farage is facing calls for an investigation after failing to declare a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire shortly before being elected as an MP in 2024. The Reform UK leader received the sum from Thailand-based tycoon Christopher Harborne, also known as Chakrit Sakunkrit. Parliamentary rules require new MPs to declare political donations and gifts received in the year before entering Parliament, but the £5m does not appear in the members' register of interests.
Mr Farage claims the money was not a political gift but was given for his personal security, after the Home Office turned down requests for protection. However, the gift was made before Mr Farage announced he would stand in Clacton, according to The Guardian. The billionaire has donated £22m to Reform since 2019.
Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake has referred Mr Farage to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, stating: 'As a new Member of Parliament, Mr Farage was obliged to report to the House of Commons all political donations and political gifts he received during the previous 12 months. This £5million raises serious questions.' Labour's Anna Turley added: 'Nigel Farage appears to have broken the rules again by failing to declare this cash from his billionaire backer.'
Reform UK has defended the payment, saying: 'This was a personal unconditional gift.' Harry Quilter-Pinner of the IPPR think-tank said the timing of the gift 'will inevitably prompt questions'.
