Nigel Farage is now facing the prospect of four individual sleaze investigations following allegations that a convicted fraudster provided funding for his political operation.
The Reform UK leader is facing claims that he failed to declare benefits, including staffing, security and housing, provided by long-time aide George Cottrell before he was elected as MP for Clacton in the 2024 general election.
According to The Sunday Times, Cottrell – also known as “Posh George” – recruited and paid three staff to work on Farage’s social media before the general election, and has continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian townhouse he rented near Buckingham Palace.
Under rules in place at the time, new MPs were required to register any gifts worth more than £300 they received in the previous 12 months, except where the gift “could not be reasonably thought by others” to relate to their political activities.
The allegations have been referred to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards for a possible investigation, taking the tally of referrals against the veteran Brexiteer up to four.
