"Nigel Farage has been dogged by questions about his finances since the Guardian revealed he received a 5m gift from a donor in 2024. Although he insists the gift did not have to be declared, several important questions remain unanswered. The sum was given shortly before Farage decided to stand in the 2024 general election and it came from a Reform UK mega-donor, the Thai-based crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne."
"In recent days, Farage has attempted to deflect attention away from the gift, saying on several occasions that the money was to pay for his personal security, and that he would rather talk about it another time. Yeah, yeah, well we'll talk about that any other time that you'd like, Farage said, when asked as he celebrated Reform's capture of its first London council, in Havering last week."
"Among them, Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative party chair, has said Farage was obliged to declare the gift. The Reform leader may soon face questions from the Electoral Commission or the parliamentary standards watchdog, both of which have received reports related to the gift. On Wednesday, the parliamentary standards commissioner opened a formal inquiry into the gift."
"Is this the only gift he received in the run-up to the 2024 general election and beyond? On Sunday, the Guardian asked if Farage had received any other gifts in the past decade. Reform did not reply. On Monday, Reform UK's legal team said in response to allegations of a different, earlier gift: Mr Farage received no personal payment from Mr Harborne before the personal gift made in 2024. Reform UK did not respond to separate questions about whether any other gifts were made after the one in 2024 or if any other donors made any other gifts, either."
A £5m gift received in 2024 has prompted questions about whether it should have been declared and what it was used for. The money was provided shortly before Nigel Farage decided to stand in the 2024 general election by Christopher Harborne, a Thai-based crypto billionaire and Reform UK mega-donor. Farage has said the gift was for personal security and has suggested the matter can be addressed later. Political opponents argue the gift was required to be declared. The Electoral Commission and a parliamentary standards watchdog have received reports, and a formal inquiry has been opened. Key outstanding issues include whether other gifts were received before or after 2024 and whether other donors provided additional payments.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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