Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the Reform UK leader confirmed he intends to stand in the by-election himself.
Farage said he reached the decision after weeks of controversy surrounding his finances, claiming the publication of information relating to members of his family was “the final straw”.
He said: “The people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions.”
Describing the contest as “the people versus the establishment”, he added: “If I win, you win. If I lose, they win.” The announcement follows a Parliamentary Standards investigation into a reported £5 million personal gift from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.
The investigation is examining whether the payment should have been declared under parliamentary rules. Farage told reporters the money was an unconditional personal gift and said it would help fund the security he believes he will need for the rest of his life because of repeated threats and attacks.
Our news piece when Nigel Farage came to Swindon.
He also responded to allegations involving George Cottrell, a long-time associate who was convicted of wire fraud in the United States in 2017.
Reports alleged Cottrell funded security, accommodation and social media support before Farage entered Parliament, prompting questions over whether those benefits should have been declared. Farage rejected those claims, insisting he had complied with parliamentary rules and sought legal advice before making his declarations.
“I believe I’ve absolutely obeyed those rules,” he said.
During the press conference, Farage claimed the Parliamentary Standards process was being used as “a political tool” against opponents.
He also criticised media coverage, singling out The Times and Sky News following reports involving his daughter.
“I’ve never been angrier in my life,” he said.
Farage argued the scrutiny reflected attempts by the political establishment to slow Reform UK’s recent electoral gains.
He pointed to the party’s increasing membership, financial support and election results, claiming Labour, the Conservatives and Whitehall were responding because they feared Reform’s growing popularity.
That momentum has also been seen in Swindon. At May’s all-out Swindon Borough Council elections, Reform UK stood candidates in every ward and won 14 of the authority’s 57 seats.
The result left the council with no overall control and represented the party’s strongest performance in Swindon to date. Support for Reform had been building before polling day, with a public meeting in Swindon attracting hundreds of supporters.
Farage said the by-election would provide voters with the opportunity to decide whether he should remain in Parliament.
“I’ve decided today I will resign as Member of Parliament for Clacton, thereby forcing a by-election,” he said.
“I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election. I will fight to win. I will fight to continue the political revolution that Reform has started.”
Reform UK Swindon Chair, Sara Godwin said:
Nigel Farage has shown strong leadership and resilience throughout these recent events. I believe he has consistently stood up for the values he was elected to represent and has demonstrated a determination not to be distracted from the issues that matter most to the public.
I remain fully supportive of Nigel Farage’s leadership and will continue focusing on delivering for residents while standing up for respectful political debate and accountability. I fully support the challenge Nigel is putting down in Clacton.
Our interview with Reform Councillors after they win in Swindon elections.
Jim Robbins, leader of the Labour party in Swindon said:
It is ridiculous for Farage to resign and call a by-election to try to avoid the scrutiny that is rightly being put on his finances and dodgy deals with donors. It is a waste of public money, and a desperate attempt to hoodwink the public. Nigel Farage is a career politician who embodies the establishment.
Leader of the Council and Conservatives Gary Sumner said:
Elected members should be held accountable. I’m not convinced it helps resolve the publics perception about Nigel Farage.
The Clacton by-election is expected to attract significant national attention and could have wider political implications, including for areas such as Swindon where Reform UK has rapidly expanded its support.
