Nigel Farage is facing a Commons investigation over a £5million gift from a crypto billionaire based in Thailand.
Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg has opened the probe into the gift to the Reform UK leader.
Mr Farage was referred to the watchdog over the undeclared gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in 2024.
Mr Harborne has separately donated millions to Reform UK, including a £9 million donation in August 2025 – the biggest single donation in history to a political party from a living person.
The Clacton MP has previously insisted there is “no case to answer” over the cash, which he said was not connected to his political activity and was needed to pay for private security for the rest of his life.
He is reported to have received the money in 2024 before he announced he would stand the Essex constituency at that year’s general election.
It is understood the commissioner has opened an investigation under rule five of the MPs’ code of conduct, which states that new MPs should register relevant financial interests received in the years before their election within one month of entering Parliament.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Mr Farage’s office is in communications with the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
“He has always been clear that this was a personal, unconditional gift and no rules were broken.
“We look forward to this being put to bed once and for all.”
But Phil Brickell, the Labour MP and chair of APPG on Anti-Corruption, said: Farage claims he can't be bought - but a politician who doesn't think the public should know about a £5m gift is a grifter, not a man of the people. This probe matters.
“Trust in politics as a force for good is already on the floor, and Farage is the one stamping on it. Nobody hands over £5m for nothing. What does Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Harborne want in return?”
Labour Party chair Anna Turley said: “Nigel Farage has been avoiding legitimate questions since news of his billionaire backer’s ‘gift’.
“It’s right that he faces a proper investigation.”
On Sunday, Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice said the £5 million was “probably not enough” to keep Mr Farage safe.
He told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “The rules are very clear and Nigel has complied with the rules.”
Mr Tice added: “Nigel’s safety and security is absolutely paramount. And I know, because I spend a lot of time with Nigel, that frankly £5 million is probably not enough.” He added it was “a personal gift based around safety and security.”
