Nigel Farage’s personal security has been paid for using Reform UK’s central funds despite him saying it would be covered by a £5million gift from a crypto billionaire
Nigel Farage’s personal security has been paid for using Reform UK’s central funds despite his claim it was being covered by a £5million gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire.
Mr Farage has insisted the cash from Thailand-based tycoon Christopher Harborne is to pay for his security bill for the “rest of my life”. But the Reform party has reportedly paid for a security team and two cars for the Reform leader.
And the Mirror has been told by an insider that the £5m has not been spent as it is for Mr Farage’s security after his official political career is over. It is unclear what has been done with the money, including whether it is accruing interest in a bank account
According to the Guardian, Mr Farage charged Reform costs for security including changes to his properties, with costs amounting to £150,000. The Mirror understands Reform disputes this point, but not that the central party pays for his security as leader of the party more generally.
A Reform spokesman said: “As a standard practice, we do not comment on security matters.” Mr Farage has previously said: “This money was given to me so that I would be safe and secure for the rest of my life.”
Mr Farage is being investigated by Parliament’s standards watchdog over his failure to declare the cash, which he insists was not necessary as it was a personal gift. Newly elected MPs must declare any financial benefits they received in the 12 months before they were elected.
Mr Farage has offered varying explanations for the purpose of the money. In May, he suggested the £5m gift was a reward for his Brexit campaigning. In interviews in June, the Reform leader claimed it was not the public’s business how he spends it – and he could splash it on Ferraris or betting on horseracing if he wanted.
Undercover footage last month showed one of Mr Farage’s closest allies, Dan Jukes, admitting the Reform leader was not following the party line when he said the £5m gift was a reward for his Brexit campaigning. The former aide appeared to suggest Mr Farage slipped up, saying the comment was not the “line to take from the press office”.
According to The Guardian, Reform makes a distinction between security needed for Mr Farage’s political activities as leader of the party, which it pays for, and his potential longer-term personal security needs, which the gift was intended to provide for.
In April, Mr Farage told the Telegraph the state had failed to fund his security. The i Paper later reported he received taxpayer-funded security when he became an MP in 2024 but that he later declined it when it was reviewed the following year.
Labour chair Bridget Phillipson said: “Nigel Farage’s excuses over his secret £5m ‘gift’ have fallen apart. You can’t trust a word he says… It’s time for him to get his story straight and be honest with the public.”
A Conservative party spokesman said: “Nigel Farage should come clean about where the £5m has gone and what it was really for.”