Nigel Farage's Claims Under Scrutiny: Law, Money, and Public Perception

1. “I have not broken the law in any way at all. I have not misused public money.”

This is – so far as we know – completely true.

But it could still be decided that he broke parliamentary rules. The allegations against Farage are that he did not properly declare money and other help received from rich friends – Christopher Harborne and George Cottrell. Commons rules say sums received in the 12 months before an MP should be declared if they might have any bearing on their work.

Farage insists that these were just no-strings gifts, but the Commons commissioner for standards is investigating. No crime is alleged, but his behaviour could be questionable enough for Farage to be suspended from parliament if he is found in breach.

2. “Being a member of the European Parliament for 20 years cost me a huge amount of money.”

For most people, an MEP’s salary – currently a shade over £100,000 plus expenses – would sound quite tempting. Farage might nonetheless have a point given he had been a commodities trader in the City and could well have earned much more.

The core of this sentiment, however, goes deeper. Farage enjoys good living and frequently spends time with extremely rich people, which may haveskewed his perspective on what he perhaps deserves for his efforts.

3. “I am the most physically and verbally attacked public figure or politician of modern times.”

Two sitting MPs have been murdered within the last decade – Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess six years later.

Farage is routinely targeted for abuse and worse, and even during press events at Reform’s headquarters is flanked by security men. But more so than anyone else? Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, receives frequent threats and endless social media abuse, a product in part of being a high-profile elected figure who is Muslim.

4. “Last week the editor of the Times newspaper decided to publish a picture of where my daughter lives.”

The catalyst for Farage’s fury was, he said, the decision of Sky News to knock on the door of a property where his daughter lives. Last week, in an article about Farage’s growing property portfolio, the Times did print a photo of a house in which, the paper said, Farage’s daughter lives.

However, the property, owned by Farage, was identified only as being in a “Kent village”, with details on an address plate blurred out. In contrast, as pointed out by one Tory MP, Farage has in the past happily posed outside the same home, with the address plate visible.

5. “I speak to you from the capital city, where men can’t wear watches and women can’t wear jewellery on the street.”

The idea of London as a crime-ridden hellhole is a repeated refrain from Farage, as it is from his friend Donald Trump.

The real picture is more mixed. Violent crime is falling in London overall, even if many people believe it is increasing, a perception seemingly pushed by a rise in visible street thefts, for example of mobile phones. As for thefts of watches and jewellery? These appear to be on the decline.