NIGEL FARAGE is facing renewed scrutiny over his general election campaign in Clacton after a former aide alleged that Reform UK breached strict spending rules during his successful bid to enter Parliament last year.
Richard Everett, a former Reform councillor who worked on Mr Farage’s campaign, has reportedly handed documents to the Metropolitan Police claiming the party exceeded the £20,660 legal spending limit in the Essex constituency. According to the Daily Telegraph, the material he submitted includes details of costs linked to the refurbishment of a Reform-themed pub inside the campaign office, as well as the loan of an armoured Land Rover.
Mr Everett alleges that a series of expenses – including leaflets, banners, utility bills and work carried out on the campaign bar – were not declared in the official election return. Reform’s submission is said to show the campaign came within £400 of the limit, but Mr Everett claims the undeclared items would have pushed it beyond the cap. Despite this, he suggested Mr Farage himself may have been “blissfully unaware”.
Reform UK has rejected the accusations outright, describing Mr Everett as a “disgruntled former councillor” who was expelled from the party “several months ago”. A spokesman said: “These inaccurate claims come from a disgruntled former councillor. The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name.”
The allegations have nonetheless prompted calls from both Labour and the Conservatives for clarification.
Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley said: “Nigel Farage needs to urgently answer serious questions about whether he broke the law and misled the public when standing for election to Parliament.
“Our parliamentary democracy relies on people playing by the rules so all candidates have a fair hearing with the public. Nigel Farage must come clean and put all the evidence on the table to prove he hasn’t undermined our democracy by breaking the rules. Failure to do so will raise even more questions about what he has to hide.”
Ms Turley has also written to Mr Farage seeking answers regarding Reform UK’s handling of cryptocurrency donations.
Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake likewise called for a formal inquiry, saying the claims should be examined by both the police and the Electoral Commission. “We all have an obligation to play by the rules to ensure that our elections are free and fair,” he said.
Mr Everett, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform last year before leaving to sit as an Independent, maintains the evidence warrants investigation.
The Metropolitan Police and the Electoral Commission have yet to confirm whether they will open an inquiry.
