Reform UK leader Nigel Farage will not face a police investigation into allegations his general election campaign breached spending laws, after authorities cited a legal time limit.
Police Cite Statutory Time Bar
Essex Police confirmed they had assessed a report, made on 5 December 2024, alleging misreported expenditure by a political candidate during the July 2024 general election. However, the force stated that under the Representation of the People Act 1983, any prosecution must commence within one year of the alleged offence.
"Having regard to the Representation of the People Act 1983... it has been concluded that this report falls outside of the stated statutory time limit, and no investigation can take place," a police statement said.
Electoral Commission Assessment Ongoing
While evading a police probe, Nigel Farage and Reform UK may still face sanction from the electoral watchdog. The Electoral Commission confirmed it is carrying out its own assessment of the claims.
The allegations, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, centre on claims that Reform failed to declare spending on campaign materials, utility bills, and the refurbishment of a bar used as its campaign office in Clacton-on-Sea, where Farage was a candidate. The legal spending limit for the constituency was £20,660.
In a letter to the Commission, Labour Party chair Anna Turley argued that if local spending was wrongly reported as national expenditure, or not declared at all, it risked making Reform's national return "inaccurate or incomplete". She called on Farage to "urgently come out of hiding" and address the "incredibly serious" claims.
Reform Denies Allegations Amid Wider Crises
A Reform UK spokesperson has previously denied any breach of electoral law, stating: "The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name." The spokesperson dismissed the whistleblower as a "disgruntled former councillor".
The spending row adds to a series of challenges for Farage. He recently faced condemnation from 28 of his former peers at Dulwich College over allegations about his past behaviour, which he has called politically motivated. Reform has labelled the various allegations a "witch-hunt".
Separately, Farage has faced calls to sack a mayoral candidate who told Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy to "go home" to the Caribbean.
With the police avenue closed on a technicality, all eyes now turn to the Electoral Commission's ongoing assessment of the election spending claims.
