Yes, another one. Following the protracted Parliamentary investigation into Nigel Farage and the undeclared £5 million donation he received from Christopher Harborne, it’s understood that one of the possible outcomes could be a brief suspension for the Clacton MP – and another by-election.
ALSO READ: It’s happened again! Reform lose key local by-elections as Restore split the vote
Nigel Farage and the Parliamentary investigation
In the months that have followed the initial revelations, the £5m back-hander now seems like child’s play. Harborne has since lobbed another £36 million into Reform’s bank account, twinned with a matching donation from fellow crypto-billionaire Ben Delo, and going public right from the get-go.
However, due to the retrospective terms of a new political donations bill, Reform run the risk of having to return these donations, should Harborne and Delo fail to prove they’ve been living in the UK since March 2025. Critics have hammered Farage and his colleagues for ‘being up to their neck in sleaze’.
And now, it appears the battle scars of the summer could be re-opened once more for the right-wing party. The Westminster inquiry into the first, undeclared donation is now drawing to a close – with multiple sources stating that Nigel Farage is sailing towards more ferocious headwinds.
Will there be another by-election in Clacton?
The Mail reports that a ‘lengthy Commons suspension’ is one of the possible punishments being considered for the Reform leader. The Times also suggests a temporary ban from the house is on the cards – but with a more modest term of 30-days being mooted.
Both outcomes, though, would inevitably lead to something no-one really wants – another by-election in Clacton. It’ll be the third time in two years constituents have been asked to visit the polls, and the second time in 2026, following on from a farcical ballot held in August.
In trying to pre-empt the findings of the investigation, Nigel Farage offered his resignation as an MP, vacating the seat in Clacton. He then immediately declared his intention to contest the same seat, creating uproar across the political spectrum. Major parties pulled out. Count Binface finished second.
Nigel Farage still likely to win in possible Clacton by-election
Murmurs of another pantomime in the south-east are now, allegedly, being met with consternation. It’s likely that Nigel Farage would retain the loyalty shown by voters in Clacton, allowing him to spin an ‘anti-establishment’ narrative in his favour.
Nonetheless, having all major parties contest the seat would make it less of a cakewalk for Reform this time out – particularly with Rupert Lowe insisting that Restore Britain will field a candidate if another by-election is required, and potentially carrying on their recent record of splitting the right-wing vote.
An announcement on the watchdog’s final verdict is expected later this month.