Reform leader changed his mind about standing as MP after gift from Thai-based crypto tycoon Christopher Harborne
Nigel Farage was given £5m by the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before announcing he would stand in the 2024 British general election, the Guardian can reveal. Farage had stated he did not intend to stand as a prospective MP but U-turned in June 2024, within weeks of receiving the personal gift from the Thailand-based businessman. In July 2024, Farage became an MP for the first time and has since stated he now expects to become prime minister at the next general election. After being approached by the Guardian about the gift, neither he nor Harborne provided a comment – instead lawyers for Reform UK and Harborne pleaded for more time. Farage then confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that he had received the gift, saying it was to pay for his personal security. Until that point neither Harborne nor Farage had spoken publicly about the £5m gift. At the time of the gift, Farage had not announced that he would run for the seat of Clacton. MPs said that Farage should have declared it. Parliamentary rules state that any benefits should be declared for the 12 months before taking up office as an MP, depending on whether it was for political or personal purposes. The rules state: “If there is any doubt, the benefit should be registered.” Asked on Monday by the Guardian about the gift, Reform sent a legal letter asking for more time to respond. The deadline was extended until Wednesday morning. The Telegraph then published its interview with Farage before the deadline. The money underlines what a pivotal figure Harborne has become in British politics – bankrolling Farage personally and the parties he has led over the past seven years. Last year, he donated £9m to Reform UK – the largest ever single donation by a living person to a British political party.
continue reading
