Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, has resigned as a member of parliament amid investigations into his financial backers, triggering a by-election in which he intends to stand as a candidate.

Farage, known for his zealous anti-immigration rhetoric and leading Reform UK into the mainstream, denied wrongdoing in a speech on Tuesday, asserting he has “done nothing wrong” despite growing scrutiny. He faces "yet another standards investigation" after The Sunday Times revealed he failed to declare benefits paid for by a convicted fraudster.

The Sunday Times reported that George Cottrell, 32, recruited and paid three staff to work on Farage’s social media ahead of the 2024 general election and has allowed Farage to use a five-storey Georgian townhouse near Buckingham Palace.

Additionally, the parliamentary standards commission is investigating Farage for accepting five million pounds ($6.8 million) from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, a gift Farage initially said would fund his private security.

Rupert Lowe, a former Reform MP who founded the hard-right Restore Britain party after breaking with Farage last year, criticized the by-election, stating it would “cost the taxpayer a fortune” and suggested Farage should cover the expenses himself.

This development comes as Restore Britain gains prominence, testing Farage’s populist brand amid ongoing controversies.

Sources