Nigel Farage Under Investigation for Alleged Breach of Commons Rules Over $6.7 Million Donation

According to a report by The Guardian, Nigel Farage, 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 announcing his candidacy for the Clacton seat in 2024. The Conservatives have referred the matter to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, while Labour has also accused Farage of breaking House of Commons rules. Farage acknowledged the donation in an interview, stating it was intended to ensure his safety and security. The payment was made by Harborne, who holds a 12% stake in Tether, a stablecoin issuer, in 2024, before Farage announced his candidacy and won the seat. A Reform UK spokesperson described the payment as a 'personal unconditional gift' unrelated to Farage's decision to run for office, adding that they are confident 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. The Conservative Party has requested an examination into whether the funds were used for political activities rather than security, while Labour has accused Farage of violating the rules. This incident follows a significant donation of £9 million from Harborne to Reform UK, as well as a £4 million donation from BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo. The UK government has imposed a moratorium on crypto donations to political parties, citing concerns over the potential for foreign money to influence UK politics.