Nigel Farage resigns as MP amid financial scrutiny and calls for investigation
Reform UK's leader has criticised what he calls "media harassment" and pledges to contest a by-election
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has announced his resignation as an MP and his intention to contest a by-election, following mounting pressure concerning unregistered donations.
In a video statement from Clacton, Mr Farage asserted his innocence, stating, “I have done nothing wrong. I have not broken the law in any way at all.”
Mr Farage condemned the media for alleged harassment and declared the upcoming by-election as a “people versus the establishment” event.
Calls for an investigation have ensued after reports surfaced that his long-term ally, George Cottrell, supplied undeclared funding for security and staffing prior to Mr Farage's election. Cottrell allegedly recruited and financed three staff members for Mr Farage’s social media campaign ahead of the general election and has permitted Mr Farage to use a rented Georgian property near Buckingham Palace.
According to Commons' rules, new MPs must register gifts exceeding £300 received in the 12 months before their election, unless the gift “could not be reasonably thought by others” to relate to political activities.
Mr Farage is already under investigation by parliamentary standards authorities for receiving a £5 million gift from Reform donor Christopher Harborne before his tenure as an MP.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have urged both the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards to examine the backing from Mr Cottrell.
Mr Farage criticised the standards investigations, claiming they are “now being used as a political tool.”