Key facts
- Rivals are preparing for a byelection in Nigel Farage's Clacton seat.
- An inquiry into a £5 million gift received by Nigel Farage is reportedly nearing its conclusion.
- The Conservative Party is ready to contest the Clacton seat.
- Other parties, including Restore Britain, are expected to field candidates.
- Farage stated the £5 million gift was a personal matter and did not require declaration.
- A penalty of over 10 days' suspension could trigger a recall petition.
Rivals are preparing for a potential byelection in Nigel Farage's Clacton seat, as speculation mounts that an inquiry into a £5 million gift he received is nearing its conclusion. Conservative sources indicated the party is ready to contest the seat, though senior figures are divided on its winnability following Farage's recent victory in a byelection.
Other parties, including the hard-right Restore Britain, are also expected to field candidates in Clacton, having boycotted the August poll. The outcome of the standards inquiry into Farage's £5 million gift could determine the timing and nature of any potential byelection.
The investigation began after The Guardian reported in May that Farage received £5 million shortly before the 2024 general election. Farage has stated the money was a personal gift and not subject to declaration, as it was not related to his parliamentary duties. However, rules require registration of financial support related to an MP's job within 12 months of entering parliament.
If the parliamentary commissioner for standards finds a serious breach, the case will be passed to the committee of MPs and lay members for further discussion and a potential penalty. This process can take weeks, and the MP has a right of appeal to the independent expert panel, which could add another month or more.
In previous cases involving Margaret Ferrier and Peter Bone, it took over six months from the conclusion of the commissioner's report for a byelection to occur. Conservatives are reportedly hopeful that Farage might not contest a byelection, but Reform sources insist he would stand again. Farage recently won a byelection in Clacton by over 11,000 votes and has been undertaking a national tour and reorganizing his party's headquarters, including launching a new Reform TV channel.