A Reform UK MP has accused parliament’s standards process of unfairly targeting Nigel Farage, escalating a fight over undeclared gifts as he campaigns to win back his Clacton seat.
Sarah Pochin, the MP for Runcorn, said Farage had called the byelection so local voters could decide whether to support him. She accused “the media, the British state and the old parties” of mounting a “vicious and desperate campaign to stop Reform UK.”
Pochin said Farage had chosen not to submit to what she called a “kangaroo court in parliament.” Her comments came as the parliamentary standards commissioner examines whether Farage should have declared a £5 million gift from Thailand-based businessman Christopher Harborne before the last election.
Farage has said he was not in politics when the gift was made. He has also argued that the standards process is “being used as a political tool.”
The inquiry was later expanded to examine support from Farage’s friend George Cottrell, including accommodation at one of Cottrell’s rented London homes and payment for some social media filming in 2024.
Farage told a podcast over the weekend that the £5 million gift was “totally undeclarable in every single way.” He said he had taken legal advice and argued the money was unconditional.
Under parliamentary rules, MPs must declare gifts and benefits from the 12 months before they enter parliament if they are political.
Farage is facing more than 30 candidates in Clacton, though the main parties are boycotting the contest. A finding against him could lead to a suspension recommendation and a possible recall petition.
