Nigel Farage Referred to UK Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Over Undisclosed Assistance and Donation

Nigel Farage Referred to Parliamentary Watchdog Over Two Separate Allegations

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party and Member of Parliament, has been referred to the UK Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over two distinct matters: undisclosed assistance from a convicted individual and an undeclared monetary gift from a foreign investor.

Farage is accused of failing to declare help from a former Ukip treasurer who served time in a US prison, and a £5 million gift from a Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor.

Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde referred Farage to the commissioner over assistance allegedly received from George Cottrell. Cottrell, a former deputy treasurer of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), served eight months in a US prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud in 2016.

Separately, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has opened an investigation into whether Farage breached rules by accepting a £5 million gift that was not declared. The gift was from Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor.

According to a report by the Sunday Times, Farage stayed at a London property owned by Cottrell and received help with social media campaigns and personal security before the 2024 general election.

The core of the allegation is that this assistance was not properly declared to Parliament.

• Robert Jenrick, a former Conservative minister now allied with Farage, stated that MPs are permitted to receive help from friends and that no rules were broken.
• Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader, accused the Sunday Times of unfairly targeting Farage as part of an "Establishment" panic.
• Josh Babarinde wrote that Farage is "not being straight with the British people about who controls him."

Regarding the £5 million gift, Farage stated the payment was a personal, unconditional gift used to pay for personal security before he announced his candidacy for the 2024 national election. He argued it was not a political donation.

A spokesman for Farage said his office is in communication with the parliamentary watchdog and looks forward to resolving the issue.

Farage disclosed £270,000 in earnings from Direct Bullion for social media advertising, with total payments of £685,500 over time.

Reform UK has proposed a Cryptoassets and Digital Finance Bill that could ease regulations for the financial sector.

If the investigation finds a serious breach, Farage could face suspension from the House of Commons. A suspension of 10 days or more could trigger a recall petition, potentially leading to a special election for his seat.

Reform UK's popularity has increased, topping national opinion polls since early 2025 and winning the most seats in recent local elections.