Nigel Farage is set to make an urgent statement today about his “future in public life”.
He confirmed the news in a post to X at midday today (7 July).
It read: “I will make a statement on my future in public life at 2pm.”
It is uncertain what this could indicate, seeing as the job of a politician and more importantly an MP revolves around being publicly facing.
It comes after the Reform UK leader alleged that Sky reporters had been harassing his family and trying to contact his daughter.
He also alleged that The Times had revealed his home address.
Both outlets have denied these claims.
A public meltdown
All this comes after Nigel Farage was filmed having an almighty meltdown after he was asked about undeclared gifts from convicted criminal George Cottrell.
In its essence, the most recent Farage controversy (yes, there have been plenty) revolves around the Reform UK leader receiving gifts from Cottrell in the year before he became an MP.
Under parliamentary rules, new members must declare financial interests and “registrable benefits” received in the 12 months before their election.
It has been reported that Farage did not declare these gifts.
Cottrell faced 20 years in jail for 21 counts related to money laundering, fraud, blackmail and extortion.
He eventually brokered a plea deal, admitted guilt to a charge of wire fraud and ended up serving just eight months in prison.
This was indeed the subject matter of questions posed by a Sky News journalist yesterday to Nigel Farage as he returned from – checks notes – Independence Day celebrations in America.
Farage’s reaction to the questions quickly went viral as it became clear that he’s feeling a bit hot under the collar with the constant controversies coming his way.
“You tell your bosses, you harass my family anymore, there will be serious consequences,” he said.
“That’s what your organisation has done this morning, go away.”
Farage starts to walk away as the journalist replies: “Was it a mistake to not declare the gifts, sir?”
The Reform leader spins around in a fit of rage saying, “did you not hear me?”
“You have broken all the rules, Leveson and everything.”
Farage has since continued his claim on X that Sky had repeatedly “hounded” his daughter after he claimed The Times had revealed where he lived.
Both these claims have been denied.
In a post to X, Sky News said: “Farage accused Sky News of ‘harassing’ his family; Sky News has not contacted anyone from his family about the story.”