Farage Sleaze Inquiry Delayed Until September

A parliamentary investigation into Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is not expected to conclude until at least September, delaying a decision on allegations related to the reporting of millions of pounds in political donations.

The inquiry, led by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Daniel Greenberg, is examining claims that Farage failed to properly declare around £5 million in donations from cryptocurrency entrepreneur Christopher Harborne before the 2024 general election.

Farage has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating that he followed guidance provided by parliamentary authorities, who advised that the donations did not require disclosure under parliamentary rules.

Although the commissioner had been expected to publish his findings before Parliament's summer recess, which begins on July 16, the investigation is now unlikely to be completed until MPs return on September 1. Any conclusions will then be reviewed by the parliamentary standards committee, which will determine whether disciplinary action is warranted.

If the committee recommends suspending Farage from the House of Commons for more than 10 sitting days, and the decision survives any appeal, voters in his Clacton constituency could launch a recall petition. A successful petition could ultimately trigger a by-election.

The Reform UK leader is also facing scrutiny over separate donations linked to close associate George Cottrell. Farage argues that those contributions were made before he entered Parliament and therefore did not need to be declared.

According to reports, the current standards inquiry into the Harborne donations could be widened to include the Cottrell-related funding after the issue was referred to the commissioner by the Liberal Democrats.

Farage maintains that he sought official advice after being elected in 2024 and acted in accordance with the guidance he received regarding both sets of donations.