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No obligation to declare £5m gift, Farage says
TL;DR
Nigel Farage stated he had no obligation to declare a £5m gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP. Rival parties have accused him of violating parliamentary rules by not registering the gift.
Key points
- Nigel Farage received a £5m gift from Christopher Harborne.
- Farage claims no obligation to declare the gift.
- Rival parties accuse Farage of violating parliamentary rules.
- Conservatives referred Farage to the parliamentary standards commissioner.
Mentioned in this story
Nigel FarageChristopher HarborneReform UKLabour PartyConservative Party
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said there was "no obligation" to declare a £5m gift he received from a billionaire backer before he became an MP.
In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that in early 2024, Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne had given him the money to pay for his security.
Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by not declaring the £5m gift in the register of interests for MPs - and the Conservatives have referred the Reform UK leader to the parliamentary standards commissioner.
But speaking to broadcasters on Tuesday, Farage said the £5m gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all".
"The rules are very clear," Farage said.
"And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift.
"And it will ensure I can be safe for the rest of my life."
Harborne's £5m gift to Farage, which was investigated by the Guardian newspaper, was given to him in early 2024 ahead of the general election that year, and it does not appear on his register of interests.
Reform UK sources say Farage received the money before he intended to stand for Parliament.
Last week, Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said Farage "appears to have broken the rules again by failing to declare this cash from his billionaire backer".
The House of Commons code of conduct states that new MPs "must register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election within one month of their election".
The rules say "purely personal gifts or benefits" from family or commercial loans would not normally have to be registered.
The rules also say "both the possible motive of the giver and the use to which the gift is to be put should be considered", adding "if there is any doubt, the benefit should be registered".
The Conservatives have also raised concerns with the Electoral Commission, which said it was considering the information.
Facing his first questions on camera about the money, Farage told broadcasters the £5m gift had been given to him "for one purpose".
"I've been the most attacked, physically, politician of modern times," Farage said.
"And yet despite repeated requests to the Home Office, the police, for protection and help, I've been denied at every twist and turn.
Q&A
What did Nigel Farage say about the £5m gift?
Nigel Farage claimed there was no obligation to declare the £5m gift he received from Christopher Harborne, stating it was a private matter.
Who is Christopher Harborne and what was his involvement with Farage?
Christopher Harborne is a billionaire donor who gave Nigel Farage £5m for security purposes before he became an MP.
What accusations have been made against Nigel Farage regarding the gift?
Labour and other rival parties have accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by failing to declare the £5m gift in the MPs' register of interests.
What actions have been taken against Farage by the Conservatives?
The Conservatives have referred Nigel Farage to the parliamentary standards commissioner over the undeclared £5m gift.
