Nigel Farage quits as MP to force Clacton by-election over gift allegations

London,UPDATED: Jul 7, 2026 20:34 IST

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage on Tuesday announced that he was resigning as a member of the British Parliament to trigger a by-election, saying voters should decide on his conduct amid allegations over gifts and donations. He said he would contest the seat again in Clacton and cast the contest as a challenge to the political establishment.

Farage's decision comes as the UK's parliamentary standards watchdog investigates whether he breached the code of conduct for MPs. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he had not broken the law or misused public money.

"I've decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions. This will be a people versus the establishment by-election," Farage said, confirming that he would re-contest the coastal constituency in eastern England.

"It's a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment, to frankly tell them where to go. And that is why I will be putting my name forward in this by-election. I will fight to win, I will fight to continue the political revolution that Reform has started," he said.

The 62-year-old won Clacton-on-Sea in the July 2024 general election with a solid majority. He announced his resignation in a televised address released by Reform UK, the anti-immigration party that has grown in stature since Farage led the pro-Brexit campaign.

Farage has been at the centre of allegations including a five million-pound "gift" from a cryptocurrency billionaire and undeclared donations from a convicted fraudster. Over the weekend, a Sunday Times investigation published further details of staff and security benefits he received from George Cottrell, a close associate who has allegedly served a prison term in the US.

"Let me be absolutely clear. I've done nothing wrong. I have not broken the law in any way at all. I have not misused public money," Farage said. He also alleged that the parliamentary standards process was being used as a "political tool".

"For over 20 years now, I have been subject to constant demonisation by the press for daring to be outside the consensual view on many issues, I've been attacked again and again. And I am the most physically and verbally attacked public figure of modern times," he said.

Farage said the five million-pound gift had been used for personal security because the state had not provided enough protection. "Repeatedly over the years, I asked the Home Secretary for help. I was rejected again and again," he alleged.

"I repeat, I have done nothing wrong," Farage said.

His move is being seen as an attempt to reset his political fortunes by returning to the ballot box. The Clacton-on-Sea by-election is likely to be framed as a test of public opinion on Britain's two main parties, Labour and the Conservatives, at a time when Labour is preparing to choose a new leader after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation earlier this month, paving the way for a leadership election that is expected to be won unopposed by former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

In sum, Farage has stepped down to seek a fresh mandate from voters in Clacton while denying all allegations against him, setting up a by-election that he says will pit the public against the political establishment.

With PTI Inputs

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