Farage Defends £5m Gift from Donor as Private, No Declaration Required

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said there was "no obligation" to declare a £5m ($6.4m) gift he received from billionaire backer Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP.

In a Telegraph interview last week, Farage revealed that Harborne gave him the money in early 2024 to pay for his security. The gift, investigated by the Guardian newspaper ahead of that year's general election, does not appear on Farage's register of interests.

Labour and other rival parties accused Farage of breaking parliamentary rules by failing to declare it. Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said Farage "appears to have broken the rules again by failing to declare this cash from his billionaire backer." The Conservatives referred Farage to the parliamentary standards commissioner and raised concerns with the Electoral Commission, which said it was considering the information.

On Tuesday, Farage told broadcasters the gift was "purely private" and "wasn't political in any sense at all." He added, "And believe you me, we've looked at this from every legal angle, there is no obligation to declare something that is an unconditional, non-political, personal gift. And it will ensure I can be safe for the rest of my life."

The House of Commons code of conduct requires new MPs to register all current financial interests and any registrable benefits received in the 12 months before their election within one month of election. It states that "purely personal gifts or benefits" from family or commercial loans would not normally have to be registered. The rules add that "both the possible motive of the giver and the use to which the gift is to be put should be considered," and "if there is any doubt, the benefit should be registered."

Facing his first on-camera questions about the money, Farage said it had been given to him "for one purpose." He noted that despite repeated requests to the Home Office and police for protection, he had been denied at every turn. "This money is the only way I can look after myself, and protect myself for the rest of my life."

In the Telegraph interview, Harborne said he was not "expecting anything in return apart from ensuring [Farage's] safety."