Reform UK leader plans Clacton byelection after £5m gift reported to crime agency

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, announced yesterday that he will resign his Commons seat and force a byelection in Clacton-on-Sea. The move followed a Guardian report that bankers had referred the £5m cryptocurrency gift to the National Crime Agency because of money-laundering concerns.

Farage faces a separate inquiry by the parliamentary standards commissioner over whether he failed to declare the donation.

Parties decline to contest byelection Labour and the Liberal Democrats said they will not field candidates, describing the byelection as a distraction from the ongoing inquiries. Other parties are also expected to stay out of the race. Labour’s chair called the donation “an astonishing and deeply serious allegation” and urged Farage to cooperate with the National Crime Agency and the parliamentary watchdog.

The Liberal Democrat spokesperson said the byelection was a “desperate last-ditch attempt” and that authorities should be allowed to complete their probe. Farage gave a video address at 2pm announcing the resignation after receiving a 1pm deadline to respond to the Guardian’s questions.

He said a strong victory would counter criticism over his handling of the donation. The standards commissioner inquiry remains open. Farage has not yet stated whether he will cooperate with the National Crime Agency.