Election Watchdog Considers Investigation into £5m Donation to Nigel Farage
The elections watchdog for England and Wales has indicated it is considering whether to investigate the £5 million given to Nigel Farage prior to the last general election.
Christopher Harborne, a major donor to Reform UK, provided the funds to Farage in early 2024.
In correspondence obtained by the BBC, the Conservative Party suggested that Farage should "have declared the donation to the Electoral Commission at the time as a regulated donee."
Reform UK responded by stating the money was a gift and was given when Farage, now the leader of Reform UK, had not yet committed to standing as a Member of Parliament.
In its reply to the Conservative Party, Eleanor Pearch, Regulatory Action Panel Manager at the Electoral Commission, said:
"I can confirm that we are aware of this matter and are considering it under our regulatory remit. We will consider all the available relevant information and recommend what, if any, next steps the Commission will take."
The watchdog has committed to responding to the Conservatives no later than 12 May, following the elections scheduled next week in Scotland and Wales, as well as local elections across many areas of England.
Reform UK’s Position on the Donation
A spokesperson for Reform UK stated that "the money was given as an unconditional gift" to Farage, who at the time was the honorary president of Reform UK and had not publicly declared any intention to stand for Parliament.
The party added that Farage chose to allocate the funds toward security measures.
Farage announced his intention to stand for Parliament in early June 2024, after the election had been called. He also declared he would become Reform UK's leader and contest the Clacton-on-Sea constituency in Essex.
The Reform UK spokesperson further commented:
"Farage wasn't in politics at the time" of the gift and "so it wasn't for campaigning" and "we're confident we have not broken any rules."
Conservative Party’s Challenge and Electoral Commission Rules
However, the Conservative Party contends that Farage was required to declare the donation because they believe he should be regarded as a "regulated donee."
According to Electoral Commission regulations, any member of a registered political party may be classified as a "regulated donee" and thus subject to rules concerning declarations.
It is understood that Reform UK holds the view that Farage did not meet any of the criteria that would have obligated him to declare the donation.
Reform UK described the Conservative Party's actions as:
"This is a desperate attempt by a Tory party struggling in the polls, who will cease to be a national political party come May 8th."
Farage’s Ownership and Company Details
The Conservatives assert that Reform UK was a private limited company at the time and that Farage "owned" it.
Records from Companies House indicate that from May 2021 until February 2025, Farage held between 50% and 75% of the shares in the entity then known as Reform UK Party Limited.
Farage is listed as a director, and the company's business is described as the "activities of political organisations."
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Involvement
The Conservative Party has also written to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg, alleging that Nigel Farage breached the House of Commons Code of Conduct by "failing to register a political donation."
Mr Greenberg's office declined to comment on the matter.
