Nigel Farage is under investigation for accepting a £5 million donation from a billionaire based in Thailand without declaring it. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, confirmed the probe following revelations that Farage received the money from Christopher Harborne shortly before the general election. Farage stated that the funds were used for his security expenses.
Greenberg has the authority to recommend suspension if Farage is found to have breached serious rules. A prolonged suspension could trigger a recall petition for Farage in his Clacton constituency. The investigation stems from Farage receiving the donation from Harborne in 2024, just before announcing his candidacy as an MP.
Reform Party asserts that the £5 million was an unconditional personal gift, hence not subject to declaration requirements. In addition to the Commissioner’s scrutiny, the Electoral Commission is considering launching its investigation, with an announcement anticipated soon.
Greenberg will scrutinize whether Farage violated Parliamentary regulations mandating new MPs to disclose any relevant gifts or donations within 12 months before assuming office. The £5 million from Harborne was received before Farage’s candidacy announcement in Clacton in 2024.
Following news of the investigation, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy criticized Farage, questioning his allegiance to the public. Similarly, Labour Party chair Anna Turley called for a thorough investigation into Farage’s financial dealings, accusing him of evading accountability.
Harborne, also known as Chakrit Sakunkrit in Thailand, has been a significant donor to Reform, having contributed over £22 million in the last seven years. He also supported Farage’s travel to Donald Trump’s inauguration and donated £25,000 for a humanitarian mission to the Maldives. Harborne, a prominent businessman, has investments in various global businesses and has been involved in cryptocurrency ventures.
Farage has advocated for cryptocurrency policies, including proposing a reduction in capital gains taxes on crypto assets. Despite facing scrutiny over undisclosed donations, Farage maintains that the £5 million gift was legitimate and not subject to declaration. His deputy, Richard Tice, declined to confirm if Farage had received other similar undisclosed donations.
Reform UK emphasized that the donation was a personal gift, denying any wrongdoing. This incident adds to previous financial controversies involving Farage, including allegations of hypocrisy regarding a property purchase in Clacton. Farage defended the property acquisition, stating that his partner had funded it independently.
