London, United Kingdom. Reform UK said it is in talks with Britain’s parliamentary watchdog after a report that its leader, Nigel Farage, is being investigated over an alleged breach of rules related to a 5 million pound gift he did not declare. The party said no rules had been broken.
Party response and communication with watchdog
Reform UK, a right-wing party and the biggest winner in local elections earlier in May, said on Wednesday that its office was communicating with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards on the matter. A party spokesman said Farage had been clear the money was a personal, unconditional gift and that no rules were broken.
Accusations and declaration rules
Rival political parties in April accused Farage of breaking the rules by failing to declare the donation. Under parliamentary rules, members of parliament must declare any donations received in the year preceding an election within one month of taking office.
Farage’s explanation of the gift
Farage has previously said the donation from crypto investor Christopher Harborne was to pay for his personal security before he announced his candidacy in the 2024 national election, and therefore it did not constitute a political donation.
Standards office and wider scrutiny
The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner’s Office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reform has topped national opinion polls since early last year, prompting increased scrutiny of the party’s sources of funding.
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