UK’s Nigel Farage, under probe for $7m gift, calls it a ‘reward’ for Brexit

LONDON: The British parliamentary sleaze watchdog will probe hard-right politician Nigel Farage's non- disclosure of a £5 million gift from a billionaire donor to his party, UK media reported Wednesday.

The probe comes as the parliament has tightened rules on political donations and after Farage's anti-immigration Reform UK party scored massive gains in local elections.

The parliament's standards commissioner investigation concerns a gift from Thailand-based aviation entrepreneur and crypto investor Christopher Harborne, who last year donated £12 million to Reform UK.

Farage and Reform UK told British media that he did not declare the £5 million because it was a personal gift to pay for his personal security, which Harborne corroborated.

The probe has been launched by Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, who investigates alleged breaches of the MPs' code of conduct and registers.

The Telegraph reported the opposition Conservative Party had referred Farage to the watchdog.

If Farage is found to have breached rules, he could face punishments including suspension from the House of Commons.

- 'Personal, unconditional gift' -

A Reform spokesman said in a statement that Farage "has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken."

Farage was in touch with the commissioner and "we look forward to this being put to bed once and for all."

The Guardian revealed the gift in an article last month, ahead of council elections.

It reported Harborne gave the money to Farage shortly before he announced a return to front-line politics in 2024, raising questions over whether the money was for political purposes and should have been declared.

The Guardian said the gift was received weeks before Farage announced his decision to stand for election as an MP, after having previously said he would not do so.

New MPs are supposed to register any money they received in the 12 months before their election unless it cannot be "reasonably" seen as linked to political activities.

The UK government this year tightened rules around political donations from people abroad, halting donations made through cryptocurrencies and capping donations from UK citizens who live abroad at £100,000.

A single donation of £9 million from Harborne to Reform UK in August last year was the largest ever single donation by a living person to a British political party.

He previously donated money to Farage's Brexit Party and the Conservative Party.

Farage registered a £25,000 donation from Harborne in February to pay for a "humanitarian aid mission" to the Maldives. Last year Harborne gave Farage over £27,000 to attend Donald Trump's inauguration.

Farage has declared earnings from media appearances, articles as well as travel paid for by supporters.

Last year he was investigated over late registration of payments for television presenting and speaking engagements.

Farage apologised for an "administrative error" and the commissioner concluded this was inadvertent.

Reform UK party gained almost 1,500 seats in local elections in England this month.