Nigel Farage will not face a police investigation over allegations that his general election campaign broke electoral law last year, with Essex Police stating that the report was submitted outside the statutory time limit for prosecution. The force confirmed it had assessed a report regarding misreported expenditure by a political candidate in connection with the July 2024 election, but noted that under the Representation of the People Act 1983, any prosecution must commence within one year of the alleged offence.
The Electoral Commission, which was also asked to examine the claims, said it had not identified any undeclared spending linked to Mr Farage’s campaign in Clacton. The commission responded to correspondence from Labour Party chair Anna Turley, who had raised questions about Reform UK’s spending at the general election. Turley had called on Mr Farage to explain whether his party had exceeded the £20,660 local campaign spending limit.
Allegations emerged after a whistleblower told the Daily Telegraph that Reform UK had failed to declare spending on leaflets, banners, utility bills, and the refurbishment of a bar in its Clacton campaign office. Turley warned that if expenditure meant for Clacton had been included in Reform’s national return, or if national spending had been omitted, the party’s return could be inaccurate.
Sam Power, an expert in political financing at the University of Bristol, noted that the police, not the Electoral Commission, had the authority to investigate the main allegation of a campaign overspend. He described Turley’s request to the commission as “a square peg in a round hole”.
A Reform UK spokesperson denied the allegations, stating: “The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name.” The party has also faced other controversies, including allegations of racism against Mr Farage and party colleagues, which Reform has dismissed as a “witch-hunt”.
