Farage Awaits Ruling on Undeclared £5 Million Gift as Fresh Benefits Claims Mount
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 6
Farage Awaits Ruling on Undeclared £5 Million Gift as Fresh Benefits Claims Mount
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 6
Summary
Nearly two months after opening a case, parliamentary standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg is weighing whether Nigel Farage broke Commons rules by not registering a £5 million gift from crypto investor Christopher Harborne.
Farage says the Harborne money and support from George Cottrell were personal benefits received before he became an MP, arguing he was then a broadcaster and businessman rather than engaged in political activity.
Critics counter that Farage was still Reform UK's honorary president and that paid social-media support could fall under political activity, a key test under Commons disclosure rules.
The Liberal Democrats have asked Greenberg to examine the latest Sunday Times revelations, adding to pressure over Farage's wider finances, including almost £500,000 he has declared for promoting gold bullion.
The scrutiny has put the Reform UK leader on the defensive at a time when polls suggest his party could win the next general election, giving rivals hope that his momentum can be checked.