Farage Admits Discussing Reform Liabilities Before Return as £5m Gift Faces Fresh Scrutiny
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 3
Farage Admits Discussing Reform Liabilities Before Return as £5m Gift Faces Fresh Scrutiny
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 3
Summary
Nigel Farage said he discussed Reform UK's "substantial" liabilities with Richard Tice in spring 2024 before returning as leader, but insisted "it wasn't a deal" or prior agreement.
Farage said those talks came "quite some time after" the £5 million gift from crypto investor Christopher Harborne, arguing the money was an unconditional, non-political payment for his personal security.
Labour said the admission undermines Farage's case for not declaring the gift after entering Parliament in July 2024, because MPs must register current interests and many benefits received in the previous 12 months.
The standards inquiry into whether he broke Commons rules was suspended when he quit as Clacton MP last month to trigger a by-election; it will resume if he wins the 13 August contest.