Reform UK funds Nigel Farage's security despite £5 million gift claim
Sources say Reform UK's central funds have covered Farage's security team and vehicles, costing over £150,000 in the past year, contradicting his statements that a £5 million donation would pay for his lifelong protection.
Reform UK has been paying for Nigel Farage's personal security team and two cars from its central funds, according to party insiders, after the Home Office reduced the taxpayer-provided protection in 2025. The expenses total more than £150,000 in the last year.
Farage previously said a £5 million gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne was intended to fund his security for life, but the party has not confirmed whether any of the donation has been used for those costs.
"As a standard practice, we do not comment on security matters," a Reform UK spokesperson said when asked about the arrangement.
The party distinguishes between security required for political activities, which it finances, and longer-term personal protection, which the donor claimed the gift would cover.
Labour party chair Bridget Phillipson criticised Farage's explanations of the gift, while a Conservative spokesperson called for a clear accounting of the £5 million.
Undercover footage shared with the Guardian showed Farage's aide Dan Jukes advising that the party should not present the money as anything other than security funding. Jukes later left Reform and denied wrongdoing.
Harborne’s lawyers have said the donor expected no return and did not anticipate Farage returning to politics. They state the gift was made on 5 April 2024, though some financial sources claim part of the sum was received only at the end of May, shortly before Farage announced his candidacy for the 2024 general election.