Farage Under Scrutiny Over £5m Donation

Nigel Farage’s £5 million gift from Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne was reported to the UK’s National Crime Agency over concerns it may have involved money laundering, according to The Guardian.

The Reform UK leader received the money in 2024 before announcing his candidacy in the general election and is now also under investigation by Parliament’s standards watchdog.

Farage has denied any wrongdoing, describing the payment as an “unconditional gift” that did not need to be declared. While he initially said the money was intended to cover security costs, he later said it was a reward for his role in the Brexit campaign and that he was free to spend it as he wished.

A Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) does not indicate criminal wrongdoing but allows authorities to investigate a transaction further. Farage said he was unaware of the report and had “no reason to doubt the ultimate source of the money.”

The controversy comes as Farage resigned as MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election that he intends to contest. He has rejected allegations of misconduct, insisting he has not broken the law and accusing the media of harassment.

Farage is also facing scrutiny over reports that long-time associate George Cottrell provided undeclared financial support, including funding for staff, security and accommodation.

Labour and the Conservatives said they would not take part in the by-election, arguing that the ongoing investigations into Farage’s finances should be allowed to run their course. No findings of wrongdoing have been made.