Standards watchdog launches probe into £5m Farage gift

The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has launched an inquiry into whether Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, broke House of Commons rules by accepting a £5 million gift from billionaire Reform backer Christopher Harborne without declaring it. Farage has claimed he was not obligated to declare the gift because it was received before his election as an MP in 2024, but critics argue it should have been registered in the MPs’ register of interests after his election. The investigation follows a complaint from the Conservative Party, which wrote to the standards watchdog to assess whether Farage violated the House of Commons code of conduct. The rules state that new MPs must register all financial interests and benefits received in the 12 months before their election within one month of taking office, unless the gift is deemed purely personal. The code of conduct specifies that gifts should be registered if there is any doubt about the motive of the giver or the intended use of the funds. While gifts from family or commercial loans are typically exempt, the watchdog will examine whether Harborne’s donation falls under this exception. The Conservatives have also raised concerns with the Electoral Commission, which is reviewing the information. The probe comes amid broader scrutiny of financial transparency among MPs, particularly regarding undeclared gifts and potential conflicts of interest.