Reform Party leader Nigel Farage has reportedly earned more than £140,000 from creating personalised video messages on the Cameo platform during his first year as an MP, while speaking in Parliament on just 22 occasions.
Parliamentary Record Under Scrutiny
A Mirror investigation reveals that the Brexit campaigner turned MP for Clacton filmed up to 2,000 videos for fans through the US-based messaging service since December last year, charging £71.75 per personal message.
During the same period, Farage's parliamentary record shows he spoke in the House of Commons only 22 times. Analysis of his contributions reveals he mentioned his Essex constituents on just three occasions, while speaking about the UK's deal to cede sovereignty of the Chagos Islands - and Donald Trump's opposition to the move - six times.
The figures, based on his Register of Interests and the standard charge for personal videos, suggest he may have created as many as 1,976 videos, though this number could be lower due to higher charges for business content that can reach up to £3,776 per video.
Second Job Earnings Top £1 Million
Beyond his Cameo earnings, Farage has accumulated more than £1 million from second jobs in addition to his £91,346 MP salary. This includes a substantial £400,000 payment for serving as brand ambassador for precious metals dealer Direct Bullion.
The revelations come as constituents in Clacton-on-Sea express growing frustration with their MP's absence from the constituency. Several voters who supported Farage in the 2024 election now say they regret their decision.
Sarah Corner, a 32-year-old part-time waitress and Reform voter, told investigators: "I've not seen him once. I've seen stuff on social media after he's been, but nothing in person. It feels like he's cashing in."
She highlighted the area's significant challenges, including deprivation, job shortages, and over-subscribed schools and doctors, adding: "We don't get a fair deal compared to the rest of Essex. I've not heard Farage speak about that."
Constituent Backlash and Security Concerns
Other Clacton residents echoed these concerns. David Adcock, a 57-year-old plumber who voted for Farage, said: "I've not seen him once. If he wants to be a millionaire, good luck to him. But don't take our money to be the local MP. That should come first."
Taxi driver Martin Jeeves, 56, described the Cameo earnings as "insulting," while retired resident Ray Edwards, 76, called for Farage to "quit now."
Farage had previously justified his approach to constituency work by citing security concerns, telling LBC radio he wouldn't hold traditional face-to-face surgeries because he feared the public would "flow through doors with knives in their pockets." He referenced the murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021 as justification for this position.
However, by September it emerged that the Speaker's Office had "no record" of advising Farage against holding in-person surgeries, forcing him into a U-turn the following month.
Cameo Content and Controversial Messages
On his Cameo profile, where Farage describes himself as "Mr Brexit," he offers personalised messages for birthdays, retirements, roasts and motivational talks. The service promises fans "a unique opportunity to receive personalised messages from the former UK politician and Brexit leader."
Some videos have attracted controversy, including a 2021 clip where Farage read a greeting supporting the IRA, raising his drink and saying "up the RA" in a message sent to a customer who paid £73 for a birthday greeting.
In response to the investigation, a spokesman for Nigel Farage said: "Nigel Farage has voted more times in the House of Commons since the last general election than Kemi and Keir put together. Nigel was in Clacton this weekend meeting local businesses, voters and publicans. All voters of Clacton will be the judge of Nigel's performance at the next election, not Daily Mirror reporters with an axe to grind."
The controversy extends beyond his Cameo activities, with recent allegations about anti-semitic remarks during his school days and questions about his tax arrangements concerning a £900,000 property purchase in his constituency.
