Reform UK leader resigns as MP, triggering by-election
London: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage resigned as a Member of Parliament (MP), saying voters should judge his conduct as he faces an investigation over alleged failures to declare financial interests.
Farage is under an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards after British media revealed that he had received 5 million pounds ($6.68 million) before the 2024 British general election but failed to register it, Xinhua news agency reported.
He has denied any wrongdoing, saying he “absolutely obeyed those rules” governing lawmakers’ conduct and had “not misused public money.” He acknowledged, however, having received a large sum of money but described it as a gift “on an unconditional basis.”
In a speech on Tuesday, Farage described the by-election triggered by his resignation as “people versus the establishment.” “I’ve decided that the people of his constituency, Clacton, should be the judges of my actions,” he added.
He also accused the media of “demonisation,” saying the publication of a picture of her daughter’s home last week had “threatened her security” and was “the final straw.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed the move as “a desperate stunt.”
According to British media, the Labour Party said it would not field a candidate in what a spokesperson called a “circus.” Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also said her party would not contest what she described as a “fake by-election.”
According to the Code of Conduct for British MPs, lawmakers must register all their financial interests and any registrable benefits received in the 12 months before their election within one month of taking office.
Farage is also under scrutiny over allegations that he failed to declare security services and accommodation provided by a close friend.