UK Reform leader Farage faces renewed probe after by-election win

The UK’s parliamentary standards watchdog reopened a suspended inquiry into Nigel Farage after the far-right Reform UK leader won one of the country's most unusual by-elections on Friday. The controversial politician was re-elected as a member of Parliament for Clacton-by-Sea in a by-election, which was left uncontested by all the main political parties, declaring it a sham. It was triggered by Farage’s resignation last month in the wake of accusations of financial impropriety and the launch of an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner of Standards.
Farage won with 63% of the vote on a turnout of 44% in a highly unusual by-election that was contested by a record 34 candidates but was boycotted by all of the main Westminster parties. Farage did not show up at the count, telling supporters Essex Police had warned him of an "organised campaign to disrupt and degrade the result". Before Farage quit his Clacton seat in July, Parliament's standards watchdog had been investigating him for not declaring a £5m gift he received from billionaire Reform UK donor Christopher Harborne before he became an MP.
If the investigation finds Farage has breached parliamentary rules, he could face suspension from the House of Commons and a process that could trigger another by-election in Clacton, potentially forcing him to fight for his seat again.
Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, had triggered the vote by resigning the parliamentary seat for the eastern English constituency of Clacton, which he had held since 2024, over an investigation into his finances. He said he would run for the open seat to prove he had voters' support, and swept it with 63% of the vote.