Nigel Farage\u2019s income since he was elected as an MP has now reached \u00a32m on top of his parliamentary salary, analysis of the register of MPs has shown.<\/p>\n
Farage\u2019s earning power sets him alongside a small number of MPs who have been able to leverage their status for external income alongside their day jobs \u2013 drawing comparisons to Boris Johnson, who made about \u00a35m<\/a> on top of his MP\u2019s salary in the six months after he resigned as prime minister.<\/p>\n Analysis by the investigations website DeSmog<\/a> shows Farage has registered more than \u00a32m in financial interests since July 2024, when he was elected as the MP for Clacton.<\/p>\n The figures come amid growing scrutiny of Farage\u2019s wealth after the Guardian revealed last week<\/a> that the Reform UK leader received and did not declare a \u00a35m gift from his party\u2019s mega-donor Christopher Harborne<\/a> prior to the 2024 general election, potentially in violation of parliamentary rules.<\/p>\n Farage has said he had no need to declare the money as it was \u201can unconditional, non-political, personal gift\u201d. He said he used it to pay for his security.<\/p>\n However, Labour and the Conservatives<\/a> have criticised the non-disclosure \u2013 and on Wednesday, a senior Reform member admitted it was frustrating their leader had not declared the gift.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no question that Nigel is a rock star. And he has undoubtedly faced threats to his security. But we do need to make greater progress away from personality towards policy [as a party]. I do wonder if this could have best been avoided by declaring it in the first place. It is a disappointing distraction,\u201d the senior party member said, speaking on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n One poll published by the New Statesman<\/a> on Wednesday suggested the disclosure of the gift is causing alarm among voters.<\/p>\n A Survation poll for 38 Degrees, a progressive campaign group, said more than two-thirds of the British public (68%) had concerns the gift could give Harborne \u201cinappropriate influence\u201d over Farage\u2019s political decisions and priorities.<\/p>\n MPs and candidates for Reform were given \u201clines to take\u201d in media interviews when asked about the gift. These included placing emphasis on the security threats Farage has faced and that the gift was unconditional and personal. On that basis, it was not necessary to declare it on the register of members\u2019 interests, the open record of the gifts, benefits and donations MPs receive, according to the party\u2019s briefing.<\/p>\n The news of the \u00a35m gift has also created an atmosphere of disquiet within Reform HQ, according to two staffers who asked not to be named.<\/p>\n One summed it up as a \u201cparanoid vibe\u201d with constant fears about a high-level mole after the news report. The insiders also described individuals being questioned about how the Guardian discovered the \u00a35m gift to Farage. People were \u201cpulled aside for interrogation\u201d, the second staffer said.<\/p>\n