Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of “dodging questions” about a £5m personal gift from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The gift, given months before the 2024 general election, is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Starmer said: “The £5m question still remains. Why is the leader of Reform dodging questions about his donation and why did he keep it secret in the first place?” The comments came in response to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage on introducing a cap on political donations.
Farage has changed his explanation for the gift, initially saying it was for personal security, then claiming it was a reward for his Brexit campaigning. He insists no declaration was needed as he was not an MP at the time. However, the standards commissioner is investigating whether it should have been registered under rules requiring declaration of money received with relevance to an MP’s political life up to a year before taking office.
The gift emerged amid record donations to Reform UK from Harborne, including over £12m in the past year. Another crypto entrepreneur, Ben Delo, has given £4m, expected to be confirmed in Electoral Commission data. Starmer did not back banning large donations but said the government would “do whatever is necessary to protect our democracy from foreign influence and dirty money”, highlighting a moratorium on crypto donations and a cap on overseas donors.
Farage has faced increased pressure since the revelation, reducing media appearances. It was reported he bought a £1.4m Surrey property shortly after the gift, though he says the offer was made earlier and paid from his own earnings.
