Farage Says Russian Agents Hacked Phone Over £5 Million Gift

Nigel Farage stated that Russian intelligence agents hacked his phone to obtain confidential details of a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency businessman Christopher Harborne. The Reform UK leader commissioned a forensic examination after last month's disclosure that only four people had known about the donation from the Thailand-based donor.

The examination concluded that hostile state actors linked to Moscow had used spear-phishing techniques to access Farage's phone, email accounts and banking information.

He has maintained the funds were intended for private security costs while he held no parliamentary seat and were not required to be declared. The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has opened an inquiry into whether Farage breached Commons rules by accepting the payment shortly before his 2024 election in Clacton.

Potential penalties range from a formal apology to suspension that could trigger a recall petition.

Christopher Harborne has given £12 million to Reform UK in total, after earlier donations to the Conservatives and the Brexit Party. Defence Secretary John Healey has written to Farage asking whether any portion of the £5 million originated from dealings with Russian state-linked energy firms.