Reform UK lideri Nigel Farage, mali durumuna ilişkin soruşturma sonrası istifa ettiği Clacton'da düzenlenen ara seçimde %62.82 oyla yeniden milletvekili seçildi.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage won the Clacton byelection with 63.34% of the vote, defeating parody candidate Count Binface in a contest boycotted by major political parties.
The Guardian's three-month investigation into Reform UK's funding exposes a complex web of secret donations, loans, and financial transactions involving Nigel Farage, Christopher Harborne, George Cottrell, and Fiona Cottrell. Police have interviewed two individuals under caution, and parliamentary investigations are ongoing, raising questions about the party's financial transparency.
The Conservative Party has asked HMRC to investigate if Nigel Farage owes tax on a £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, questioning if it was compensation for running as an MP. Farage claims it was a personal, unconditional gift, despite reports suggesting he sought £1m annually for political office.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage admitted using a London home and social media filming paid for by fraudster George Cottrell before the last election, insisting it was undeclarable. He also defended a £5m gift from Christopher Harborne and a £500k donation from Cottrell's mother, all under investigation by the standards commissioner and police.
UK's Representation of the People Bill faces scrutiny over big-money donations, particularly in crypto. Reforms aim to curb foreign and crypto donations, but critics argue they are insufficient. The article links wealthy crypto investors to the far-right, raising concerns about financial integrity and the potential for a 'crypto capital' that blurs crime and business.
Reform UK faces scrutiny over a £5m donation to Nigel Farage from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The party's response, framing questions as persecution and using friendly media outlets, is compared to Donald Trump's tactics. Concerns about financial transparency and links to cryptocurrency are highlighted.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey stated he resisted Nigel Farage's lobbying to drop a crypto policy potentially costly to Reform UK's backer, Christopher Harborne. This comes as Farage faces a parliamentary probe over undeclared payments and support, triggering a political crisis.
The Guardian investigation reveals that bankers reported potential money laundering concerns to the National Crime Agency (NCA) regarding transactions involving senior Reform UK figures, including Nigel Farage and Richard Tice. Suspicious activity reports (SARs) were filed over donations and loans, prompting scrutiny of the party's finances and adherence to electoral rules.
Nigel Farage's Reform UK leader announced a by-election in Clacton, framing it as 'people versus the establishment.' Major parties, including Conservatives, Labour, Liberal Democrats, and Restore Britain, will not field candidates, leaving the Green Party and novelty candidate Count Binface as potential challengers. Residents express weariness with politics and mixed views on Farage.
Nigel Farage resigns as MP for Clacton, citing establishment "foul means" after undeclared donations. He will seek re-election in a by-election, framing it as "people versus the establishment". Rival parties refuse to stand, calling it a "stunt".
Nigel Farage resigns as MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election, to face judgment from constituents over undeclared funding. He claims the "establishment" is using "foul means" against him following revelations of a £5m gift and undeclared staffing/security funding.
Nigel Farage alleges an "establishment plot" against him as he faces scrutiny over personal funding from convicted criminal George Cottrell and cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. Allies echo claims of a "witch-hunt," drawing parallels to Donald Trump's past accusations. Farage has a history of failing to declare income and facing investigations into his finances.
Nigel Farage alleges an "establishment plot" against him as he faces scrutiny over funding for his lifestyle, including support from convicted criminal George Cottrell and a £5m gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. Allies echo his claims of a "witch-hunt," drawing parallels to Donald Trump's past.
The UK government has introduced new rules to restrict foreign funding in elections. Measures include a donation cap for new residents and stricter checks on company donors, potentially impacting parties like Reform UK that rely on crypto billionaires.
Nigel Farage faces scrutiny over undeclared financial gifts from a crypto billionaire and a convicted fraudster. His defense, led by Robert Jenrick, has been met with skepticism, highlighting inconsistencies and a pattern of opacity in Farage's finances.
Thailand-based crypto investor Christopher Harborne, a major donor to Reform UK, has registered to vote in the UK. However, he is unlikely to bypass planned caps on overseas political donations, even with this registration, as the proposed rules focus on residency rather than just voter registration.
Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's shadow chancellor, stated it's "legitimate" for media to question Nigel Farage's £5m donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, despite Farage's dismissal. The donation, now under investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards, has also prompted a request for an FCA probe.
Nigel Farage defended a £5m crypto donation from businessman Christopher Harborne as a "purely private matter" and "not any of your business." He argued it wasn't hypocritical to criticize Keir Starmer's donations, citing his own presenter role vs. Starmer's opposition leadership. Farage also expressed no regret over Brexit.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has criticized Nigel Farage's acceptance of a £5m gift from a crypto billionaire, questioning his explanation and ruling out an electoral pact with Reform UK. Badenoch cited the gift's investigation and Reform's poor by-election performance as reasons for her stance.
Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire confronted Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin during a byelection count, accusing her of racism and defending Nigel Farage's undeclared £5m gift. The exchange, broadcast on Sky News, touched on Farage's financial dealings and Pochin's past controversial remarks about diversity in advertising.
Nigel Farage met with the Bank of England governor to oppose plans for a state-run digital currency, dubbed 'Britcoin,' which could impact his party's major donor, Christopher Harborne, a billionaire involved in the cryptocurrency Tether.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice struggled to definitively rule out further large gifts to party figures beyond a £5m donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Tice stated he was unaware of any other gifts and asserted the party complies with rules, while defending crypto and contrasting the donation with a bribery case.
Labour MPs are alarmed by significant donations to Reform UK from cryptocurrency billionaires Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo, totaling £7m. Concerns are raised about transparency and the potential for wealthy overseas donors to influence politics, despite new electoral finance regulations.
