Nigel Farage is set to face an investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner over a gift of £5m he received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before becoming an MP, The Independent understands.
Mr Farage was referred to the watchdog after he admitted he received the money from Mr Harborne, a British national based in Thailand who helped bankroll Brexit, back in 2024.
The Reform UK leader has previously insisted there is “no case to answer” over the gift, which he said was not connected to his political activity and was needed to pay for private security for the rest of his life. He is reported to have received the money in 2024 before he announced he would stand in Clacton at that year’s general election.
Mr Farage has said the money “was given to me so that I would be safe and secure for the rest of my life.”
“I have tried and failed in the past to get security funded by the Home Office, and I don’t think the state will ever help me,” he added.
“I’m very much on my own and will be for the rest of my life, and I have to face up to that grim reality.
“Christopher is an ardent supporter who is deeply concerned for my safety.”
A Reform UK spokesperson said: “Mr Farage’s office is in communications with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.
“We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all.”
Mr Harborne has separately donated millions to Reform, including a £9m donation in August 2025 – the biggest single donation in history to a political party from a living person.
On Sunday, Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice said the £5m was “probably not enough” to keep Mr Farage safe.
He told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “The rules are very clear and Nigel has complied with the rules.”
Pressed on whether any of the cash was spent on other political activity, Mr Tice said: “Nigel’s safety and security is absolutely paramount. And I know, because I spend a lot of time with Nigel, that frankly £5m is probably not enough.”
He added it was “a personal gift based around safety and security”.
