Farage resigns as Clacton MP, triggers by-election amid financial scrutiny

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has resigned as Member of Parliament for Clacton, triggering a by-election that he says he will contest, as he faces mounting scrutiny over his financial disclosures.

Farage announced his decision in a pre-recorded statement released by his party on Tuesday, describing the upcoming contest as a “people versus the establishment” election and insisting that voters in Clacton should decide whether he deserves to remain in Parliament.

The Reform UK leader denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that he had neither broken the law nor misused public funds.

“I’ve decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,” Farage said, adding that he would seek re-election in the by-election.

Farage’s resignation comes amid ongoing investigations into his financial affairs. He is already under investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards over an undeclared £5 million gift from British-Thai cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne, which Farage has argued was intended for his personal security and was not required to be declared under the rules at the time.

He is also facing fresh scrutiny following reports that his long-time associate, George Cottrell, allegedly provided undeclared financial support, including funding for staff, private security and accommodation before the 2024 general election. The allegations have prompted calls for further investigations into whether parliamentary and electoral rules were breached.

In his statement, Farage accused the political establishment and sections of the British media of orchestrating a campaign against him. He claimed recent media coverage, including reports involving members of his family, influenced his decision to resign and seek a fresh mandate from voters.

The move temporarily pauses the parliamentary standards investigations while Farage is no longer an MP, although the inquiries could resume if he is re-elected.

The announcement has drawn swift reactions from opposition parties. The governing Labour Party has called on the Electoral Commission to investigate the reported financial support, while the Liberal Democrats have demanded a full parliamentary inquiry, arguing that resigning should not shield any public official from accountability.

Farage won the Clacton seat in the 2024 general election with a majority of more than 8,400 votes. The forthcoming by-election is expected to be closely watched as a test of both his personal popularity and Reform UK’s electoral strength.