Nigel Farage resigns as MP amid crypto donation scandal

Former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage stepped down as MP for Clacton, triggering a by‑election that he will contest as an independent challenger to the political establishment. The resignation follows revelations that crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne gave Farage a £5 million personal gift before he became an MP and provided around £25 million to his Reform UK party, neither of which were declared to the parliamentary register.

Investigations by police and the Commons are examining the donations, while all major parties have declined to field candidates, leaving Farage's only opponent the satirical figure Count Binface. Reform MP Lee Anderson defended the party on live radio, dismissing questions about the funding as unrelated to other political issues. The controversy has intensified scrutiny of crypto influence in UK politics and the financial transparency of far‑right parties.