Nigel Farage denies Clacton by-election is a stunt as opponents boycott

Nigel Farage has told the BBC his resignation as Clacton MP and decision to stand again in a by-election is not a publicity stunt, as his opponents say they will boycott the contest.

The Reform UK leader resigned on Tuesday after facing increasing scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation.

In his first interview since resigning, Farage said: "The media are judging me to be a dishonest person, so it is only fair to say to the voters, 'you judge'."

Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all declined to take part in the contest for the Essex seat.

Reform says it is proposing holding the by-election on 6 August.

Farage has been under intensifying pressure over his financial support, which has prompted opposition parties to call for Parliament's standards watchdog to investigate, and renewed media coverage of his financial affairs.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Farage of a "political stunt" saying he wants to "duck and dive around the rules", while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has branded the move a "gimmick".

The Reform leader, who has denied any wrongdoing, accused the parties of being "scared" to face him and said their lack of co-operation did not make it a "fake" contest.

"They call it a stunt. It's not a stunt, because real voters will have a vote for an MP," he said.

In his interview, Farage said he was not sure if he was still an MP, but soon after the BBC interview Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had accepted his resignation.

"If he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won't stop him," she wrote on X, referring to by-election rival Count Binface.

Shortly afterwards, the formal notice was published, confirming that Farage was no longer an MP.

Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, of nearby Peldon, announced on Tuesday evening he would be standing against Farage, Count Binface and Adham Alkhatip, who leads the Forward Party.

Asked about what he had done for Clacton since becoming its MP, Farage said: "I've done my absolute best to put it on the map in terms of tourism and visits.

"I know the road getting here is a pain but, actually, when you get here you've got great beaches."

He pledged to prioritise potholes and stopping housing developments opposed by locals if re-elected.

"You give me a big vote and we'll continue our political revolution," Farage continued.

"If you don't do it then I think the establishment will just go on and go on working together in an attempt to crush a genuine chance at political change."