Farage quits parliament forcing a snap election amid donations probe
by Lisa Hornung · UPIJuly 7 (UPI) -- British right-wing member of parliament Nigel Farage resigned his seat Tuesday to force a by-election after investigations into his finances.
Farage will be a candidate in the election in the surprise race, which is meant to boost his support among constituents in Clacton, which he has represented since 2024.
"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," Farage said in a televised statement, Politico reported. "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.
Farage is under investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Daniel Greenberg. The probe is focused on whether Farage broke House of Commons rules when he didn't declare a $6.9 million donation from British-Thai crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.
Farage has said he didn't have to report the donation because it was donated before he became an MP and was given the money personally to fund private security.
He also said Tuesday that he's being investigated for failing to declare gifts from crypto entrepreneur George Cottrell, who also donated before Farage was elected to fund staff, security and transportation. Farage has denied all wrongdoing and has said he follows the rules.
Farage said the "final straw" was when a national newspaper published a photo of his daughter's home. Farage also said that people in public life have the right to make money and get support from wealthy people.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the election a "desperate stunt."
"It's obvious why he is doing it," The Guardian reported Starmer said. "He is up to his neck in sleaze. Politics should be about improving the lives of millions of people, not about personal gain, not about hiding dodgy donations, and I think the public will see this for exactly what it is."
Robert Hutton, writer for The Critic magazine, said on Bluesky: "Calling a by-election over the sovereign right of every MP to take secret gifts from a convicted criminal. What a time to be alive."
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, posted on X about the move.
"Nigel Farage has spent his whole life dodging responsibility for his actions. This new stunt is his latest attempt to escape consequences for his biggest grift. We won't let him," he said.
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