Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin has described the parliamentary standards investigation into Nigel Farage over undeclared gifts as a "kangaroo court", marking an escalation in attacks on the system by Farage's supporters. Pochin, the MP for Runcorn, argued that Farage had called a byelection in his Clacton seat to let voters decide, claiming that "the media, the British state and the old parties have mounted a vicious and desperate campaign to stop Reform UK".
Pochin's comments on social media
In a post on X, Pochin wrote: "We can't call a general election, so rather than submit to a kangaroo court in parliament, Nigel Farage has handed the power back to the people of Clacton. P.S. Clacton was once one of the safest Tory seats … now they won't even field a candidate against him. Wonder why?" Her remarks echo those of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who similarly labelled the privileges committee a "kangaroo court" when it found he deliberately misled parliament over Covid rule-breaking.
Background of the investigation
The standards commissioner is currently examining whether Farage should have declared a £5m gift from Thailand-based businessman Christopher Harborne, given before the last election. Farage maintains he was not in politics at the time. The inquiry was later expanded to consider whether he should have declared support from his friend and fraudster George Cottrell, who provided accommodation at a London home rented to Farage and paid for some social media filming in 2024. Farage previously said the investigation was "being used as a political tool", and Reform sources suggested the commissioner and committee were illegitimate.
Farage's defence
Farage told the Triggernometry podcast that the £5m was "totally undeclarable in every single way". He acknowledged the standards system could find against him but claimed a "top international lawyer" advised him the gift did not need to be declared because it was unconditional, with a document stating it was given freely. According to the rules, gifts and benefits must be declared for the 12 months before an MP enters parliament only if they are political.
Potential consequences
Farage is currently fighting a byelection in Clacton against over 30 candidates, none from the main parties, which boycotted the contest. If the commissioner finds against him with a substantial sanction recommending suspension from the Commons, a recall petition could trigger a second byelection. In that scenario, major parties have vowed to stand against him, potentially changing the political dynamics.
