Guardian UK Politics
Exclusive: Nigel Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024
Nigel Farage received an undisclosed £5 million personal gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before reversing his decision not to stand in the 2024 general election. The donation, from the Thai-based tycoon, raises serious questions about transparency and the influence of wealthy backers on Reform UK's leadership decisions. The timing of the U-turn will intensify scrutiny of Farage's financial relationships ahead of future electoral contests.
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Nigel Farage referred to standards watchdog over undisclosed £5m gift
Nigel Farage faces a parliamentary standards investigation after the Guardian revealed he received an undeclared £5 million gift from a crypto tycoon and party donor. The Conservative Party made the referral, citing rules requiring MPs to disclose any significant personal gifts. The scandal puts pressure on the Reform UK leader, whose attempts to get ahead of the story appear to have deepened scrutiny rather than quieted it.
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UK politics: Starmer avoids privileges committee inquiry into vetting of Peter Mandelson – as it happened
MPs voted down a Conservative motion that would have subjected Prime Minister Keir Starmer to a parliamentary privileges inquiry over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. The move came after Starmer faced accusations of misleading Parliament regarding pressure on the Foreign Office during Mandelson's security vetting process. Former vetting officials acknowledged procedural pressure existed, but stopped short of implicating Starmer directly in influencing the substance of the case.
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Starmer sees off major Labour rebellion over call for Mandelson inquiry
Keir Starmer narrowly avoided a significant backbench revolt by marshalling Labour MPs to block a parliamentary inquiry into his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. Downing Street leaned heavily on its own MPs to defeat the referral to the privileges committee, a display of force that itself fuelled discontent. The episode has left Starmer politically bruised, with Labour MPs openly warning that his stock within the party is running dangerously low.
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Find out how your MP voted on Mandelson vetting inquiry
Parliament faced a pivotal transparency test this week as MPs voted on whether to launch a formal inquiry into Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador and the vetting process surrounding it. The central question: did the Prime Minister mislead the Commons? Use the interactive tool to see exactly where your representative stood.
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