CLACTON — The Labour Party has accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of attempting to dodge scrutiny over a £5 million gift he received from crypto donor Christopher Harborne shortly before the June 2024 general election. The Electoral Commission is expected to announce in the coming days whether it will launch a formal investigation into the gift and whether it breached electoral law, with the potential to impose a fine.

The parliamentary commissioner for standards could also consider whether the gift was a breach of MPs' code of conduct. If deemed to be a breach, Farage could be required to make a formal apology or be suspended from parliament, which could lead to a recall petition in his Clacton constituency if he were suspended for more than 10 days.

Parliamentary rules state that for the 12 months before taking up office as an MP, any benefits for political purposes should be declared. Farage had said he did not intend to stand as a prospective MP, before reversing that decision in June 2024 within weeks of receiving the personal gift from Harborne, who is based in Thailand. Harborne donated £9 million to Reform last year, the largest single donation by a living person to a British political party.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for further examination of the matter. "There are so many questions that Nigel Farage has to answer in relation to this, and there is a reason that he's running away from those questions. I think he should be subject to more scrutiny by parliament, by the media, by the public in relation to this," Starmer said.

Labour party chair Anna Turley said the issue went beyond disclosure. "Once again, Farage and his MPs clearly believe there's one rule for them and another for everyone else," she said. "He didn't just take the cash and fail to declare it. He announced a crypto tax cut policy that would directly benefit his secret donor."

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice defended Farage. "Nigel was not involved in politics at the time. He's complied with all the laws," Tice said. He added: "I trust Nigel's judgment, and he's complied with the rules, and thank heavens a wonderful person who's given that gift is utterly determined to keep Nigel safe and secure."

Reform UK gained more than 1,400 councillors across England in the local elections, came second in the Welsh parliament elections and came joint second with Labour in Scotland.