Elections watchdog considers looking into £5m gift to Farage
The Electoral Commission is considering whether to investigate a £5m gift given to Nigel Farage by Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne in early 2024, prior to Farage's announcement that he would stand for Parliament. The Conservative Party has argued the donation should have been declared under electoral rules, while Reform UK maintains it was a personal gift unrelated to campaigning. The watchdog is assessing the matter under its regulatory remit and will decide on any next steps.
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Elections watchdog considers looking into £5m gift to Farage25 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleDamian Grammaticas,Political correspondentandChris Mason,Political editorEPA/ShutterstockThe elections watchdog for England and Wales has said it is considering whether to look into the £5m given to Nigel Farage before the last general election.Reform UK mega donor Christopher Harborne gave the money to Farage in early 2024.In the correspondence, seen by the BBC, the Conservatives suggested that Farage should "have declared the donation to the Electoral Commission at the time as a regulated donee".Reform UK said the money was a gift, and that it was given at a time when the now-Reform leader had not yet committed to standing as an MP.In its response to the Conservative Party, the…
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