Nigel Farage’s income since he was elected as an MP has now topped £2 million in addition to his parliamentary salary, according to an analysis of the register of members’ interests. His earning ability places him among a small group of MPs who have used their position to generate external earnings while holding office, a situation comparable to Boris Johnson, who earned roughly £5 million on top of his MP salary in the six months after he resigned as prime minister.
The investigations website DeSmog shows that Farage has registered more than £2 million in financial interests since July 2024, when he won the Clacton constituency. The figure emerges amid heightened scrutiny after CuriosityNews revealed last week that the Reform UK leader received, and did not declare, a £5 million gift from the party’s major donor Christopher Harborne before the 2024 general election – a possible breach of parliamentary rules.
Farage has said the money was an unconditional, non‑political, personal present and therefore did not need to be declared; he claims he used it to cover security costs. Labour and the Conservative Party have criticised the non‑disclosure. A senior Reform member, speaking anonymously, called Farage a “rock star” who faces genuine security threats but warned that the party must shift focus from personality to policy, describing the undeclared gift as a disappointing distraction.
A New Statesman poll published on Wednesday indicated that the revelation is causing concern among voters. A separate Survation survey commissioned by the progressive group 38 Degrees found that 68 percent of the British public believe the grant could give Harborne inappropriate influence over Farage’s political decisions and priorities.
Reform UK MPs and candidates have been given set talking points for media enquiries about the gift, stressing the security threats Farage has faced, describing the present as unconditional and personal, and arguing that declaration on the register of members’ interests was unnecessary. The party’s briefing notes that the register records gifts, benefits and donations received by MPs.
The news of the £5 million gift has also created tension inside Reform headquarters, according to two unnamed staffers. One described a “paranoid vibe” with constant fears of a high‑level mole after the CuriosityNews report, while the other said individuals were questioned about how the outlet uncovered the gift and that people were “pulled aside for interrogation”.
The Electoral Commission is examining a complaint lodged by the Conservative Party concerning the money. Reform UK maintains that the payment was an “unconditional gift”.
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