Nigel Farage says ‘no offence’ after partner benefits not revealed

Nigel Farage has said he did “nothing wrong” after it emerged he failed to declare benefits offered to him by a colleague in a US fraud case.

The Sunday Times said., External George Cottrell’s support includes security and social media staff who worked on Farage’s online content in the year before he was elected. Farage also used a property rented by Cottrell near Buckingham Palace.

The reformist UK leader responded by insisting he would “follow the rules” and said he was “a victim of the establishment”.

Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde asked the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner to investigate, telling the BBC that Farage needed to be “straight up with the British people”.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Babarindi said: “He’s talked about taking control back, but he won’t tell us, he won’t be straight with us about who’s in control.”

Under the Parliamentary Act, new MPs must declare their financial interests and “recordable benefits” in the 12 months prior to their election.

The guidelines state that personal gifts or benefits do not need to be recorded.

Farage is already facing a parliamentary inquiry. Unregistered £5m gift from billionaire Reform UK donor.

He argued that he did not need to declare the gift because he received the gift before Clacton was elected as an MP, and not a political one.

His team made a similar argument as to why the alleged “in-kind” – non-cash – benefits from Cottrell were not recorded.

In the year Cottrell, 32, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud in the US in 2017, is a long-time ally of Farage. He volunteered for the Brexit referendum with Farage’s former political party, Ukip.

According to the Sunday Times, Cottrell is a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and involved with offshore gambling site Tether.bet.

Farage said: “I have done nothing wrong, I have followed the rules and I am now considering taking legal action against The Sunday Times.

“Now it’s clear that the establishment will stop at nothing to undermine reform – we want to break their cozy deal.”

As an MP, Farage recorded a £9,253 trip to Belgium donated by Cottrell in April 2024, and later added a £15,276 gift from Cottrell to a US domestic flight in December 2024.

No other support from Cottrell is listed in the member’s financial needs record.