Nigel Farage has said he accepted a donation of £5million intended to provide him with “long‑term personal security”.
The Reform UK leader faced difficulties in securing Home Office funding for his protection, adding the money would give him security “for the rest of his life”.
He told The Telegraph: “This money was given to me so that I would be safe and secure for the rest of my life,” adding: “Christopher is an ardent supporter who is deeply concerned for my safety.”
The payment was first reported by The Guardian.
The disclosure has prompted questions over whether the funds should have been declared under parliamentary rules.
Regulations introduced in 2022 require MPs to register financial interests, including benefits received in the 12 months prior to election, within one month of taking their seat.
Mr Farage was elected as MP for Clacton in 2024.
At the time he accepted the payment he had not publicly declared his intention to stand for election.
Nigel Farage admits £5million gift from crypto donor as questions raised over declaration
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GETTY
In May 2024, he wrote on social media that he would not be a candidate, saying it was “not the right time” to stand.
On June 3, he reversed that position, confirmed his candidacy and committed to lead Reform UK for at least five years.
Mr Farage also said his home was targeted in a firebombing incident in 2025, after the payment was made.
The scale of the donation highlights Mr Harborne’s role as a major political donor.
Mr Harbourne is the Chair of the Sherriff Global Group
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Christopher Harborne
He previously gave £10million to Mr Farage’s Brexit Party around the 2019 general election, when Boris Johnson led the Conservative Government.
Reform UK received a further £12million from Mr Harborne in 2025.
He has also donated to other political groups and figures, including £1.5million to the Conservative Party in 2022 and £1million to the private office of Boris Johnson after he stepped down as party leader.
The Conservative Party has referred Mr Farage to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
Kevin Hollinrake MP said: “This £5million from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne raises serious questions. What is Nigel Farage hiding? And why does Reform think the rules don’t apply to them? This stinks and Reform should come clean now.”
Ben Habib, who previously served as Reform UK co‑leader, also commented on the situation.
He said he had “initially declined to join Reform UK, among other things, because of the money changing hands between Mr Harborne, Mr Farage and Mr Johnson”.
He added: “When politicians dance to the tune of their donors, it is the British people who are screwed.”
Labour has recently introduced new rules limiting political donations, including a £100,000 annual cap on contributions from non‑UK residents.