LONDON — Nigel Farage resigned as a member of the British parliament Tuesday to force a by-election intense scrutiny of his financial arrangements.
In a statement, the Brexit veteran — who will stand as a candidate in the race, aimed at shoring up his personal support in the seaside town of Clacton — said: “I thought about it hard, and I’ve decided today, I will resign as a member of parliament for Clacton on Sea, thereby forcing a by-election.”
“This will be a people versus the establishment by-election. It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment, to frankly tell them where to go,” he said.
The move — announced in an emotive press conference in London — comes after weeks of scrutiny of the right-wing populist leader, whose party is leading in the national polls.
Farage is currently being investigated by Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg over whether he broke House of Commons rules by failing to declare a £5 million donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Farage has repeatedly said he was under no obligation to declare the gift because he received it before he was elected as Clacton MP and it was given in a personal capacity to fund his security.
He said Tuesday he is also being investigated over fresh accusations he failed to declare gifts and donations from crypto entrepreneur George Cottrell. The Sunday Times reported Cottrell, a longstanding friend of Farage, funded the Reform UK leader’s private security, staff, transport, and accommodation in the year before he was elected to the Commons.
The Reform UK leader has denied wrongdoing and insists he followed the rules.
This developing story is being updated
