Questions over Farage’s houses and £5m gift renew scrutiny of finances

A week ago, Nigel Farage was toasting Reform UK’s successes in the May elections, and bragging about his prospects of becoming prime minister. But there is a saying about a week in politics – and it has been a long seven days for the party leader, who is now facing questions over a £5m gift and his extensive property portfolio. On Thursday, the parliamentary standards commissioner said he had opened an official inquiry into the money Farage accepted from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Farage is also facing questions about a £1.4m house he bought in Surrey in 2024 , the purchase of which took place in the weeks after accepting Harborne’s gift. Farage appears to either own or live in five properties. The house in Surrey is the one that has come under scrutiny this week. The Grade II-listed detached home, on a site of historic interest and with substantial acreage, is listed on planning documents from 2025 as being occupied by its new owner and not intended for rental. Farage also appears to have filmed videos there on the Cameo platform in the last two years, and a neighbour said security had been installed at the property some time after he bought it. Reform sources, when asked whether Farage used the Surrey house as one of his residences, said he would not say where he spent his time, on the basis of security advice, as the danger to him was too high already. …