Labour demands answers as Farage probed over £5m gift

Labour has written to Nigel Farage demanding a full explanation for a £5 million personal gift from Christopher Harborne and urging him to stop evading scrutiny as a parliamentary standards inquiry proceeds.

The letter from Labour chair Anna Turley follows a formal referral and the opening of an investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner. The inquiry was launched after the Conservatives referred the matter to determine whether any part of the payment funded political activity.

The payment was made in 2024, weeks before Farage reversed his earlier decision not to stand in that year’s general election and subsequently won the Clacton constituency. Labour asks Farage to provide a single clear account of the purpose and use of the funds.

Farage has defended the gift, telling broadcasters that legal advice showed no requirement to register it and describing it as an “unconditional, non-political, personal gift.” He has offered different explanations for the payment, first saying it would cover lifetime personal security and later calling it a “reward” for his Brexit campaigning.

Turley wrote that “the British people, and the relevant authorities and regulators deserve one clear and truthful account of what happened,” and criticised Farage’s refusal to answer media questions. Labour asked that he provide all relevant information to the authorities.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer raised the matter at Prime Minister’s Questions, asking why the gift was kept secret and referring to it as the “£5 million question.” He noted recent measures including a moratorium on crypto donations and a cap on donations from overseas donors.

Christopher Harborne holds a reported stake in the issuer of the stablecoin Tether and has donated roughly £12 million to Reform UK in total, including a £3 million payment on January 23 and a £9 million contribution last year. Reform UK also received about £4 million from Ben Delo in the first quarter of 2026, bringing crypto-linked donations for that period to about £7 million and making Reform UK the top-funded party for the quarter.

The parliamentary standards commissioner will assess whether any portion of the £5 million was used on campaign activity or other political expenses that should have been declared. Harborne has not given a detailed public account of the purpose of the payment and has not ruled out returning to the UK.