Nigel Farage Under Investigation for Receiving $6.7 Million Gift from Tether Billionaire

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, received a substantial gift of approximately £5 million (around $6.7 million) from Christopher Harborne, a billionaire associated with Tether, prior to his 2024 election campaign for the Clacton seat, as reported by The Guardian. The Conservative and Labour parties have raised concerns that Farage failed to declare this gift, prompting an investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. Farage has acknowledged the donation, stating it was intended to ensure his safety and security following past incidents, including a milkshake attack and a firebomb incident at his home. Harborne, who holds a 12% stake in Tether, made the payment in 2024, before Farage announced his candidacy and won the Clacton seat. 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. The Conservative Party has requested an examination into whether any of the funds were used for political activities rather than security, while Labour has accused Farage of breaching the rules again. This incident comes amid a broader discussion on crypto donations in UK politics, with Harborne having made a record-breaking £9 million donation to Reform UK and another significant donation from BitMEX co-founder Ben Delo. The UK government has since imposed a moratorium on crypto donations to political parties, citing concerns about the potential for foreign money to influence UK politics.