Nigel Farage faces parliamentary watchdog probe over £5m gift from crypto billionaire

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is facing an investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner over a gift of £5m he received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP.

Self-proclaimed ‘man of the people’ Farage, received the donation from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne in 2024, it has emerged.

A Guardian investigation found that Farage received the gift in 2024 before U-turning on his decision to stand as an MP.

In late May 2024, Farage ruled out standing as a parliamentary candidate in the upcoming general election. Just weeks after receiving the donation from the Thailand-based crypto investor, Farage changed his mind, deciding in June 2024 that he would stand for election.

In a subsequent interview with the Telegraph, Farage confirmed that he had received the gift, saying that it was to pay for his personal security.

However, Farage is now facing a formal investigation by the parliamentary commissioner for standards under rule 5 of the code of conduct obliging MPs to “fulfil conscientiously” requirements relating to their registration of interests.

Parliamentary rules require MPs to declare any “personal benefit” they have received in the 12 months before taking office, and to do so within a month of being elected.

A Reform UK spokesperson said: “Mr Farage’s office is in communications with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.

Basit Mahmood is editor of Left Foot Forward