Keir Starmer has pressed Nigel Farage to stop “dodging questions” about the £5m personal gift he received from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The gift, first revealed by the Guardian, was given to Farage in the months before he stood as an MP in the 2024 general election. It is now under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner.
During prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Starmer criticised the Reform UK leader, saying that the “£5m question still remains”. “Why is the leader of Reform dodging questions about his donation and why did he keep it secret in the first place?” he asked.
Farage has changed his story over the reasons for receiving the gift. At first he said it was to pay for personal security for his lifetime. As he faced questions about this explanation, Farage changed tack, saying he considered it a reward from Harborne for having campaigned for Brexit. He has insisted there was no need to declare it to the authorities because he was not an MP at the time.
Key Questions Surrounding the Gift
The standards commissioner is investigating whether it should have been registered, as money received with a relevance to an MP’s political life should be declared from up to a year before they take office. The rules state: “If there is any doubt, the benefit should be registered.”
Starmer’s Remarks and Political Context
Starmer’s jibe was made in response to a question from the Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, who pressed the prime minister on whether he would introduce a cap on political donations. The idea has been gaining traction since it emerged that Harborne has donated record amounts to Reform UK, including more than £12m over the past year. Another crypto entrepreneur, Ben Delo, has given the party £4m in donations, which are expected to be confirmed in data published by the Electoral Commission on Thursday.
Starmer did not agree to the prospect of banning large donations, but said the government “will do whatever is necessary to protect our democracy from foreign influence and dirty money”. He also highlighted the government’s decision to put a moratorium on crypto donations and to cap donations from overseas donors. This may prevent Harborne from giving more money unless he relocates to the UK. Delo is expected to move back to the UK from Hong Kong in order to continue giving money to Reform UK.
Pressure on Farage
Farage has been under considerable pressure over the £5m he received. He has done fewer media interviews and press conferences since it was first reported. It emerged in a Sky News report that he had bought a detached Surrey property for £1.4m shortly after the Harborne gift was made. He has said the offer on the property was made long before the donation and that it was paid for with his own private earnings.
