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Nigel Farage has acknowledged receiving a £5 million payment from Christopher Harborne, a billionaire donor to Reform UK, describing the sum as a “reward for campaigning for Brexit.” Farage emphasized in an interview with The Sun that this money was given “on a completely unconditional basis” and insisted, “I cannot be bought by anybody.” The payment has sparked controversy due to concerns over transparency and whether Farage properly declared the gift in the MPs’ register of interests after his election to Parliament in 2024.
Critics of Farage have argued that he should have reported the donation when he became an MP, raising questions about compliance with parliamentary rules. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has now initiated an investigation to determine if Farage breached Commons regulations by accepting this sizable gift without declaring it. Despite the inquiry, Farage has expressed little concern. When asked about public perception of the donation, he highlighted the length of his commitment to Brexit, stating, “It’s very unusual for someone to give up 27 years of their life to campaign for something,” adding that the money was given as recognition of that dedication.
Regarding whether the gift influenced his return to politics, Farage replied negatively, reaffirming, “I cannot be bought by anybody.” Christopher Harborne, who is known as a cryptocurrency investor residing in Thailand, told The Telegraph in April that he did not expect anything in return from the donation beyond “ensuring his safety.” Harborne further described his motivation as stemming from “great admiration for the decades of work [Farage] had done to achieve Brexit.”
The matter has drawn scrutiny from other political parties, with the Conservative Party raising the issue with both the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner and the Electoral Commission. Both Conservatives and Labour have stated that Farage faces significant questions regarding the gift. According to the Commons code of conduct, new MPs must declare all financial interests and registrable benefits received within 12 months before their election within one month of taking office. While purely personal gifts or family loans generally do not require registration, the code advises careful consideration of a giver’s motive and the intended use of the gift. Sanctions for breaching these rules can range from apologies to suspension or expulsion from the House of Commons.
In addition to the £5 million given directly to Farage in early 2024—before he decided to stand as an MP—Harborne donated a total of £12 million to Reform UK in 2025 and has contributed to the Conservative Party in the past. The BBC has reached out to representatives of Harborne for further comment on the matter
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