Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is expected to be questioned by the parliamentary commissioner for standards within the next two weeks regarding a £5 million gift he received from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. The inquiry centers on whether Farage should have declared the gift, which was given shortly before he became a Member of Parliament (MP).

The investigation, led by Daniel Greenberg, is also examining benefits Farage reportedly received from George Cottrell, a convicted criminal and cryptocurrency gambler. Cottrell, who was found guilty of wire fraud in 2017 linked to a money-laundering scheme on the dark web, is said to have provided Farage with various benefits in kind, including security services, transportation, staffing, and accommodation.

Parliamentary rules require new MPs to register any gifts worth over £300 received in the 12 months prior to taking office, unless it is reasonable to assume the gift is unrelated to their political activities. Farage has submitted a contract he drew up with Harborne, asserting that the £5 million was given as a personal gift, not connected to his political work. He maintains that he is entitled to use the funds as he sees fit and denies any wrongdoing.

If Greenberg concludes that Farage breached the rules, Farage could face suspension from the House of Commons and potentially trigger a by-election. A source from Reform UK indicated that Farage is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

The controversy intensified when reports revealed that Cottrell provided extensive support to Farage prior to the general election, including financing staff to manage his social media presence and allowing him to use a property near Buckingham Palace. Cottrell also reportedly distributed business cards bearing his name, the Reform UK logo, and Farage’s email address, despite not holding an official party position.

Additional registered expenses include a £9,000 trip to Belgium and a £15,000 domestic flight in the United States, both paid for by Cottrell after Farage became an MP in 2024. Robert Jenrick, a Reform UK MP, told the BBC that Cottrell funded Farage’s security and staff in 2024 before Farage officially entered Parliament.

Labour’s Anna Turley criticized the revelations, stating that the connections between Farage and a convicted criminal appear to contradict his claims that the support received was unrelated to his political activities.

Farage responded by reiterating his innocence, asserting compliance with the rules, and suggesting he may pursue legal action against the outlet that reported the story. He accused the political establishment of seeking to undermine Reform UK.