NIGEL Farage has sensationally stepped down as an MP, triggering a by-eleciton in the Clacton-on-Sea constituency.
The leading Brexiteer dramatically announced he is walking away from his position after nearly 30 years as an elected politician.
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The Reform UK leader has faced scrutiny over donations
The leading Brexiteer is walking away after 30 years as an elected politician Credit: PA:Press Association
Farage will stand in the by-election, in a bid to prove continued support from his constituents amid a row over gifts he received.
In recent months, Mr. Farage has faced scrutiny over donations with calls for him to face several probes into his financial affairs.
He has come under intense scrutiny over allegations that convicted criminal George Cottrell gave him funding for security and staffing in the year before his election.
Labour has called for an Electoral Commission probe to investigate the matter.
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Farage first became a member of the European Parliament in 1999 Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He is also being investigated by Parliament‘s standards adviser.
They are probing a £5 million gift he was given by Christopher Harborne, a crypto-billionaire.
Farage appeared to snap at a reporter yesterday who questioned him about the Cottrell affair.
The Jattvibeday Times revealed Mr Farage failed to declare benefits he received from George Cottrell including staff, security and the use of a property.
Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde urged the parliamentary standards commissioner to investigate the Reform leader’s behaviour.
Mr Cottrell pleaded guilty to wire fraud and was jailed in the US.
It comes as Reform UK continues to poll highly with the party leading Westminster polls at 25 per cent, according to YouGov.
The ruling Labour party has been lagging behind at just 20 per cent amid leadership turmoil, with Andy Burnham now set to replace Sir Keir Starmer in the top job.
As the row around gifts unfolded Reform UK’s Robert Jenrick battered away any allegations of wrongdoing and claimed Mr Farage did not need to report the donation.
A Reform spokesman said: “George Cottrell is an unpaid volunteer with no formal role at Reform UK, like many thousands of party members.
“The business card was designed to help donors or other members of the public easily get in touch with Nigel Farage’s office. It was not intended to suggest any formal position or authority.”
MPs must declare any “financial interests” from the 12 months before they are elected to Parliament.
Labour and the Tories have seized on the latest revelation as ammunition to attack Mr Farage.
The Reform UK leader revealed shortly after midday that he would be making a statement “on my future in public life” but gave no further details.
Farage first became a member of the European Parliament in 1999 and stayed in Brussels until the UK left the EU in 2020.
He attempted to be an MP on several occasions but only entered Westminster in 2024 representing Clacton.
He spearheaded the Leave campaign for the UK to leave the EU in 2016.
