Nigel Farage Under Scrutiny for $6.7 Million Donation from Crypto Billionaire

According to a report by The Guardian, Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, received a substantial donation of approximately £5 million, equivalent to around $6.7 million, from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne prior to his announcement to run for the Clacton seat in 2024. The Conservative Party has referred Farage to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, while the Labour Party has also accused him of violating House of Commons rules. Farage acknowledged the donation in an interview, stating it was intended to ensure his safety and security following a series of incidents, including a milkshake attack in 2019 and a firebomb incident at his home last year. Harborne, who holds a 12% stake in Tether, made the payment in 2024, before Farage's candidacy announcement and subsequent win. A Reform UK spokesperson described the payment as a 'personal, unconditional gift' unrelated to Farage's decision to run for office, and expressed confidence that all declarations were made in accordance with the rules. The Commons code of conduct requires new MPs to register benefits received within the 12 months preceding their election. The Conservative Party has requested an examination into whether the funds were used for political activities rather than security, while Labour has stated that Farage 'appears to have broken the rules again.' Additionally, Harborne donated £9 million to Reform UK late last year, and BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo has also made significant donations to the party. The UK government has since imposed a moratorium on crypto donations to political parties, citing concerns over the potential for foreign money to influence UK politics.