Key facts
- Nigel Farage resigned as the MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election.
- Major political parties including Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party will not field candidates.
- Farage is facing scrutiny over undeclared finances related to a £5 million gift.
- Comedian Jon Harvey, as Count Binface, is the only confirmed candidate.
- Farage claims the election is a 'people versus the establishment' fight and denies wrongdoing.
Major political parties in the UK have announced they will not contest the Clacton by-election, which was triggered by the resignation of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Farage stated he would stand again in the Essex seat, framing the election as a challenge against the 'establishment' amid scrutiny over his finances.
Labour accused Farage of attempting to distract from a parliamentary investigation into his finances, with a spokesperson calling the election a 'circus' and stating the party would not 'indulge it'. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch echoed this sentiment, calling it a 'fake election' designed to divert attention.
The Liberal Democrats urged the government to delay Farage's resignation until the standards investigation concluded. Restore Britain, a party founded by MP Rupert Lowe, also confirmed it would not field a candidate. The Green Party of England and Wales later announced its local members had decided against putting forward a candidate, leaving comedian Jon Harvey, known as Count Binface, as the only confirmed contender.
Farage has vehemently denied any wrongdoing regarding his finances, describing a £5 million gift from donor Christopher Harborne as akin to a 'lottery win' and intended to cover personal security costs. He claimed to be the most attacked public figure in modern times and that the 'establishment' was using 'foul means' against him and his party.
The parliamentary investigation into Farage's finances, led by standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg, concerns undeclared gifts or benefits received within 12 months of becoming an MP. Farage argues the support he received falls under a 'purely personal' exemption. The investigation was paused upon his resignation but could resume if he wins the by-election.
Separately, reports emerged that George Cottrell, an ally of Farage, provided financial support, including paying for security staff and social media work before the 2024 general election. Furthermore, Cottrell and his mother made payments to a company and think tank owned by Reform UK's deputy leader, Richard Tice. These payments were flagged to the National Crime Agency (NCA) via its Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) programme. Tice has reportedly written to the NCA questioning if the organisation leaked his private financial information to the media.