Nigel Farage has insisted he “is not a crook” after buying a £1.4 million house in cash shortly after receiving a £5 million gift. The Reform UK leader is under investigation by the Commons sleaze watchdog over the donation from Christopher Harborne, a Thailand-based cryptocurrency investor.
Farage Defends Gift as Brexit Reward
Speaking to The Sun, Farage said the cash was a reward for his long campaign for Brexit. “It’s very unusual for someone to give up 27 years of their life to campaign for something. And this was given to me on an unconditional basis, completely unconditional basis. But frankly, it was given as a reward for campaigning for Brexit for 27 years,” he stated.
He dismissed the investigation, noting he had faced multiple fraud probes during his time as an MEP. “Five fraud investigations into me when I was an MEP. I mean, you know, they came round on an annual basis. As far as this is concerned, I’m the least bit concerned. No one cares. They care if you’re a crook, which I’m not and never have been. But the fact that I made a few quid doing things, this doesn’t worry people at all,” he added.
Property Purchase Timeline
Property records show the house purchase was completed in May 2024, weeks before Farage decided to stand in the general election, according to Sky News. A Reform UK spokesperson said both the offer and purchase process began before the gift from Harborne. “Mr Farage had already passed proof of funds and the relevant checks before receiving the gift. The purchase was therefore already proceeding independently of it,” the spokesperson explained.
Reform UK is considering legal options in response to the report. Farage took to Twitter to denounce the story, calling it “fake news by the establishment media who will do anything to hurt Reform as we challenge their cosy consensus.” He added, “I had passed proof-of-funds and the relevant checks before receiving the gift. Sky News did not publish that part of our statement despite knowing the truth.”
Sleaze Watchdog Investigation
The Reform UK leader was referred to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg over the undeclared gift from Harborne in 2024. Farage has previously insisted there is “no case to answer,” stating the money was not connected to his political activity and was needed for private security for the rest of his life. He is reported to have received the funds before announcing his candidacy in Clacton for the 2024 general election.
The commissioner has opened an investigation under rule five of the MPs’ code of conduct, which requires new MPs to register relevant financial interests received in the 12 months before their election within one month of entering Parliament.
