Labour has reported the alleged hacking of Nigel Farage\u2019s phone to police and government cybersecurity officials after the Reform UK leader failed to do so himself.<\/p>\n
The Labour<\/a> chair, Anna Turley, has asked the Metropolitan police and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to investigate Farage\u2019s claims that his phone was compromised by hostile actors linked to Russia.<\/p>\n Reform has suggested the Guardian\u2019s revelation that Farage was given a \u00a35m gift from the Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne originated from material leaked from his phone, email and bank accounts. The party said last weekend<\/a> it believed his information had been obtained by \u201chostile actors, almost certainly linked to Moscow\u201d.<\/p>\n Reform said it had reported the matter to \u201cthe relevant authorities\u201d, without specifying which ones. Labour challenged the party to refer the case to the NCSC, but it is understood that had not happened by Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n Farage is also understood not to have reported the matter to the Met, which is now considering reaching out to him to ask if he wants to do so. Labour\u2019s contact with the force does not constitute a formal crime report, so it is unlikely the Met will begin an investigation on that basis.<\/p>\n In a letter to Farage, Turley said: \u201cQuite apart from the implications for you personally, the alleged crime is an incredibly serious one, with potential wider implications for Britain\u2019s national security, the integrity of our politics and public confidence in our democratic system.\u201d<\/p>\n She added: \u201cI have therefore today contacted the National Cyber Security Centre and the Metropolitan police to ensure that the suspicions you and Reform UK<\/a> have publicly raised are investigated properly.\u201d<\/p>\n A Reform spokesperson said: \u201cIt has been reported to the relevant authorities. It would be inappropriate to comment further while investigations are ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n The Met and NCSC have been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n Anna Turley: \u2018The alleged crime is an incredibly serious one.\u2019 Photograph: Thomas Krych\/Zuma Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n The Guardian revealed last month<\/a> that Harborne gave Farage \u00a35m in 2024, shortly before the Reform leader announced he would stand for parliament, despite previously saying he would not do so.<\/p>\n Parliamentary rules state that MPs should declare any gifts received in the 12 months before taking office, depending on whether it was for political or personal purposes.<\/p>\n Farage initially claimed Harborne had given him the money to cover his security costs, before later saying it was a \u201creward\u201d<\/a> for his years of campaigning for Brexit.<\/p>\n