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Standards watchdog launches probe into £5m Farage gift
Parliament's standards watchdog has opened a probe into a £5m gift to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, raising questions about whether it should have been declared in the MPs' register of interests. The inquiry follows a January finding that Farage failed to register £384,000 in interests on time, which was resolved via a rectification procedure without sanctions.
Why It Matters
It tests MPs' duties to declare financial interests and gifts under the House of Commons code, and could have political consequences depending on the investigation's findings.
Timeline
2 Events
May 13, 2026: Standards watchdog launches probe into £5m Farage gift
May 13, 2026
The Conservatives wrote to Parliament's standards watchdog, which is now investigating whether Reform UK leader Nigel Farage broke the House of Commons code of conduct over a £5m gift from Christopher Harborne. Farage has said he was under 'no obligation' to declare the gift because it was given before he was an MP. Reform says the gift is personal and no rules were broken, and notes the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is involved. The Electoral Commission said it is considering information about the gift.
January 2026: Breach of register revealed
January 2026
Farage was found to have failed to register £384,000 in interests on time. He was allowed to update his register via the 'rectification' procedure without sanctions, with standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg concluding the breach was inadvertent.