FARAGE QUESTIONED BY STANDARDS COMMISSIONER OVER £5M GIFT

Nigel Farage has said people were "quite impressed" by Reform UK's record £72 million donation, while he faces a parliamentary standards inquiry into a separate £5 million gift. Speaking to the Sunday Times during a campaign visit to Doncaster, the Reform UK leader said the donation had earned him "grudging respect" after he initially feared it would force him "into hiding". Farage confirmed he was interviewed for around 30 minutes at the Palace of Westminster by the parliamentary commissioner for standards, Daniel Greenberg. The inquiry concerns whether he failed to register a £5 million gift from businessman Christopher Harborne, received in 2024. Farage denies wrongdoing, saying the money covered his personal security costs.

The £72 million donation was split equally between Harborne and fellow businessman Ben Delo, both linked to cryptocurrency ventures. Farage described it as the largest single political donation in British history, exceeding the previous record of £10 million left to the Conservative Party in 2022. He said the funds helped Reform UK compete with established political parties. Should the commissioner rule against him, Farage could face suspension from the House of Commons, potentially triggering a by-election in his Clacton constituency.

Concerns over Farage's security have increased after confirmation that a suspect charged with the murder of former party figure Ann Widdecombe was allegedly involved in a separate plot targeting Farage. Farage also addressed Reform UK's recent decline in opinion polls, saying the party had lost its earlier lead over Labour amid increased competition from the Conservatives. He rejected the idea that Reform UK had peaked, saying instead it had "troughed". The parliamentary commissioner for standards has not yet announced a ruling on the £5 million donation inquiry.