Standards watchdog to probe Nigel Farage £5m gift

Nigel Farage is facing a probe by the parliamentary standards commissioner regarding a £5m gift he received shortly before becoming an MP.

The Reform UK leader was given the sum from tech investor and crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before he announced he would stand in the 2024 general election.

He has previously insisted there was “no case to answer” over the donation because it was not connected to political activity, but to be used for private security.

However, the standards watchdog is now investigating the matter, looking into whether Farage breached the code of conduct by not formally declaring the gift in his register of interests.

The MPs' code of conduct states MPs must “fulfil conscientiously” the requirements in registering financial interests, with new MPs expected to declare current financial interests and registerable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election.

Farage was reported to the standards commissioner by the Conservatives. Party chair Kevin Hollinrake said Reform had “announced policies that are very beneficial” to Harborne, referring to such proposals as legislation to make the UK a “crypto hub”.

Hollinrake continued: “That’s why it’s very important that the public and parliament can see and scrutinise monies that are received by parliamentarians to make sure there is no wrongdoing, or if there is influence, people understand the nature of that influence.”

Responding to the news the commissioner was investigating, a spokesman for Reform UK 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.”

The investigation has been welcomed by Labour party chair Anna Turley, who said Farage had been “avoiding legitimate questions” over the matter.

If the commissioner concludes there was a breach of parliamentary rules, punishment options cover anything from a written apology through to suspension from the Commons. If an MP is suspended for 10 days or more, it can trigger a recall petition and force a by-election.