Nigel Farage challenged over whether or not he reported Russian hack declare over £5million reward
The Reform UK leader initially claimed the controversial handout from tycoon Christopher Harborne was to pay for his personal security, then said it was a “reward for campaigning for Brexit”
(Image: Sean Hansford | Manchester Evening News)
Nigel Farage has been urged to answer whether he reported claims Russian spies hacked his phone to expose a secret £5million “gift” from a crypto billionaire.
The Reform UK leader initially claimed the controversial handout from tycoon Christopher Harborne was to pay for his personal security, then said it was a “reward for campaigning for Brexit ”.
After the “gift” was revealed, Reform then claimed a forensic probe by counter-espionage experts found hostile state actors “ almost certainly linked to Moscow ”had sought to compromise his phone, email and bank accounts.
Chair of the Labour Party Anna Turley has now demanded the Reform UK leader explain whether this was reported to police or a security body. If Mr Farage fails to do so within 24 hours, Labour say they will take steps to ensure it is investigated instead.
In her letter to the Reform leader, Ms Turley said: “I note that public reporting does not appear to confirm that this matter has been reported either to the police or to the National Cyber Security Centre. Instead, the reports state that you privately commissioned analysis from unnamed ‘counter-espionage experts’, who concluded that “hostile state actors, almost certainly linked to Moscow, had used ‘spear phishing” tactics’ to compromise your phone email and bank accounts.
“Quite apart from the implications for you personally, the alleged crime is an incredibly serious one with potential wider implications for Britain’s national security, the integrity of our politics and public confidence in our democratic system. It is therefore essential that any evidence of hostile-state hacking or foreign interference is placed in the hands of the proper authorities, so that it can be fully and independently investigated.
“If you have done so, please confirm when the report was made and to which authority. If you have not done so, please explain why not, given the seriousness of the allegation.”
Mr Farage did not declare the gift in the register of members’ interests, having received it just before he was elected as an MP in the 2024 election. Under Commons rules, newly elected MPs are required to declare financial interests covering the previous 12 months.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is now examining whether Mr Farage breached those obligations. Separately, the Electoral Commission is considering whether to open its own investigation. Mr Harborne, a British businessman based in Thailand, donated £12m to Reform UK last year.
Responding, a Reform spokesperson claimed it had been reported, but did not say to who. They said: “It has been reported to the relevant authorities. It would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations are ongoing.”
