There are heavyweight boxers less accustomed to the ropes than Nigel Farage is right now, and his difficult year now looks like it’s going to get even worse. Plagued by scandal over both his personal and party finances, a new report from The Times now questions his own version of events.
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When did Nigel Farage agree return to politics? It’s not so clear…
After receiving donations and gifts from his ultra-wealthy friends, suspicions were raised about the true purpose if the monies received. Back in May, it was revealed that Nigel Farage had been sent £5 million from a Thai-based crypto billionaire – a transaction which he failed to declare in 2024.
The fee has landed the arch Brexiteer in stifling-hot water. He was initially subject to a Parliamentary investigation into the deal with Christopher Harborne, but his resignation as an MP – and the farcical by-election which it triggered – has put a spanner in the works for now.
Should Nigel win Clacton again as expected, the probe is almost certain to be restarted. Quite frankly, Mr. Farage is running out of ways to obscure the questionable financial networks which support Reform – and, thanks to a bombshell report this weekend, more suspect activity has come to light.
New Reform revelations leader Reform spinning
Gabriel Pogrund, the journalist who tied Nigel Farage to convicted fraudster George Cottrell earlier this month, has followed up with another exposé which pokes holes in the 61-year-old’s story. Initially, he had claimed donations received in 2024 didn’t need reporting, as he wasn’t involved in politics.
This changed in the run-up to the 2024 General Election, when Farage joined Reform and was instilled as their leader. He then announced his candidacy for the Clacton constituency. Though contradictory in itself, the Reform leader always maintained he previously harboured no further political ambitions.
Pogrund’s new report suggests otherwise, claiming that work had begun in March 2024 for Farage and Richard Tice – the former leader turned deputy – for the former to replace the latter and take charge of the party. In exchange, Farage was asked to repay £1 million loaned to the party by Tice.
It’s understood that George Cottrell was heavily involved in brokering the deal, which was then presented to Reform’s treasurer in May 2024 – the same month Harborne dropped a cool £5 million in Farage’s coffers. His candidacy was then confirmed a month later.
What next for Nigel Farage?
Reform’s defence on the matter claims that the deal was conditionally, and was only struck on the understanding of ‘if’ Nigel returned, instead of when. Alas, their excuses won’t be enough to quell the critics – some of whom believe Mr. Farage is now operating on ‘borrowed time’ as an MP.
Oliver Ryan, Labour MP for Burnley, simply stated that ‘Nigel Farage is cooked’. Political commentators Nick Lowles and Don McGowan both believe this latest scandal could be enough to ‘finish’ the former UKIP leader. Though Nigel has a history of wriggling out of jams, he now has less room for manoeuvre.