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Reform UK
Nigel Farage to step down as MP over donations scandal - but will run in byelection for his own seat
He was under pressure following reports that his long-term ally, George Cottrell, had provided funding for security and staffing in the year before he was elected.
LAST UPDATE | 7 Jul
REFORM UK LEADER Nigel Farage has confirmed that he is stepping down as MP for the constituency of Clacton-on-Sea – but he also confirmed that he will run in the byelection for his own seat in a “people-versus-establishment” vote.
Farage has faced scrutiny in recent weeks over financial support given to him by a convicted fraudster, and a £5 million (€5.85 million) gift from a Reform UK donor before he became an MP.
Reports detailed that long-term ally George Cottrell had provided funding for security and staffing in the year before Farage was elected. Farage is already facing a parliamentary standards investigation over the funding.
Under the Commons’ rules, new MPs are required to register any gifts worth more than £300 they received in the previous 12 months, except where the gift “could not be reasonably thought by others” to relate to their political activities.
Farage said standards investigations by the parliamentary authorities are “now being used as a political tool”.
“I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” Farage told a press conference organised by Reform UK this afternoon.
“This will be a people versus the establishment byelection. It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment,” he added.
Farage was elected as MP for the constituency during the last general election in July 2024 with more than 46% of the vote (21,225 votes).
During a lengthy public address, Farage also spoke the pressure he has faced over unregistered donations of cash and support, and said he has “done nothing wrong” and not “broken the law in any way”.
He described the undeclared £5 million donation as a “gift” and ”the equivalent of a lottery win”.
“I’ve really enjoyed the job of being an MP. The people, the constituency – it’s an office that I genuinely, genuinely adore,” he said.
“It seems to me that the establishment has now decided that they can’t beat us fairly, so they’ve chosen to use foul means.
“Over the last 10 years, I have financially done well, but that itself should not be looked upon as a crime,” Farage added.
He also lashed out at the media in his statement following The Sunday Times investigation into his links with Cottrell and a row with Sky News in recent days.
Nigel Farage said he had “never been angrier in my life” as he complained about media treatment of his family.
“For some reason, last week the editor of the Times newspaper decided to publish a picture of where my daughter lives,” Farage said.
“There is no public interest in my daughter whatsoever.”
Far-right party Restore Britain have already indicated that they may contest the byelection, which could impact Farage’s majority support in the constituency.
“Farage has proven one thing today and one thing only – everything that he does is about one person. Nigel Farage,” Restore leader Rupert Lowe said in a post on X.
“I will be making an announcement later today about Restore Britain’s plans for the Clacton by-election.”
Additional reporting from PA
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