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UK Crypto Donation Probe Into Farage Resumes After Election Win
Farage's return revived an ethics inquiry into undeclared interests, including about £5 million in crypto-linked donations. His register is due within a month.
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Nigel Farage is back in the House of Commons, and so is an investigation into donations and benefits he received from two men tied to the crypto sector. The Reform UK leader won the Clacton by-election with 63% of the vote. Count Binface, the satirical candidate, finished second with 27%. No major party fielded a candidate.
The win returns Farage to Westminster. It also resumes the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner's inquiry, which was suspended when Farage resigned the seat in July. The inquiry centres on a possible failure to declare financial interests. Under Commons rules, a newly elected MP must register current financial interests within a month of taking office, and the register must also cover certain benefits received during the previous 12 months.
Two donors sit at the centre of the case. Christopher Harborne, a businessman linked to crypto, reportedly gave about £5 million ($6.7 million) to Farage. Farage initially described the money as a reward for his Brexit work. He later described the contributions as unconditional gifts.
George Cottrell, a former Farage aide, is the second donor. Cottrell is said to have financed staff and part of Farage's security. He has ties to a crypto casino and was convicted in the United States for fraud. The commissioner must decide whether either set of benefits required declaration to Parliament.