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

According to The Guardian, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, received approximately £5 million (around $6.7 million) from Christopher Harborne, a billionaire with ties to Tether, prior to announcing his candidacy for the Clacton seat in 2024. The Conservatives have referred him to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, while Labour has also accused him of breaching House of Commons rules. Farage confirmed the donation, stating it was intended to provide for his safety and security after previous attacks. Harborne, who holds a 12% stake in Tether, made the payment in 2024, before Farage's election. 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 necessary declarations have been made in accordance with the rules. The Commons code of conduct requires new MPs to register benefits received in the 12 months preceding their election, and Reform UK argues that the gift is exempt as a purely personal donation. The Conservative Party has requested an investigation into whether the funds were used for political purposes, while Labour has accused Farage of breaking the rules again. This development comes amidst a broader discussion on crypto donations in UK politics, with Harborne having made a record-breaking £9 million donation to Reform UK last year, and the UK government imposing a moratorium on crypto donations to political parties in March.