Essex Police have confirmed they are assessing allegations that Reform UK, under the leadership of Nigel Farage, breached strict election spending rules during the 2024 general election campaign for the Clacton seat—a contest that ultimately saw Farage secure his first seat in Parliament. The investigation, which was announced on December 8, 2025, follows a referral from the Metropolitan Police and centers on claims that the party exceeded the legal spending limit and failed to properly declare certain campaign expenses.
At the heart of the controversy is Richard Everett, a former Reform UK councillor and campaign team member, who alleges that the party's official campaign return for Clacton—declaring £20,299.80 in spending, just under the £20,660.72 legal limit—omitted significant costs. According to Everett, these undeclared expenses include the refurbishment of a Reform-themed bar in the campaign office, the hire of two vans with advertising boards, the loan of an armoured Land Rover used by Farage in a high-profile rally by Clacton Pier, and other items such as banners, media, t-shirts, and utility bills.
Everett claims to have submitted a dossier of evidence to the Metropolitan Police, which includes receipts, photographs of campaign materials, and the party’s official spending submission. He told The Daily Telegraph, “Because of my experience as an agent, I’ve done many of these returns myself, so I know what is meant to be on them. In this particular case, there was a spending limit of £20,660.72. So that’s the amount you’re allowed to spend on the election. In this return that Peter Harris has produced, he says that we spent £20,299.80. I do not think that that is an accurate figure. The reason why I think that is because of a number of items that were either missing on the return or wrong on the return.”
Everett estimates that the actual campaign spending exceeded the legal limit by about £9,000. He also stated that, in his view, Farage was “blissfully unaware” of the omissions, suggesting that the candidate himself may not have been directly involved in the alleged misreporting. Nonetheless, under UK electoral law, both the candidate and their election agent are required to sign declarations stating that the spending record is complete and correct to the best of their knowledge. Making a false declaration is a criminal offence, carrying the risk of an unlimited fine or even up to 12 months’ imprisonment.
Reform UK has strongly denied any wrongdoing. A party spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “inaccurate claims” from “a disgruntled former councillor” who was expelled from the party several months ago for improper behaviour. The spokesperson added, “The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name.” Farage himself has not commented extensively on the specifics of the spending allegations, but the party has maintained its stance that all rules were followed.
The revelations come after a string of controversies surrounding Farage and the Reform UK party. In addition to the spending row, Farage has faced accusations from more than two dozen former classmates at Dulwich College, who allege he used racist and antisemitic language during his time as a student in the 1970s. Farage has denied these claims, stating that while he may have said things in “banter” that could be viewed differently today, he has “never been racist or antisemitic with malice” and has not directed such language “directly” at individuals.
Further scrutiny has fallen on Reform UK after it emerged that the party received a record £9 million donation from Thai-based cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne in August 2025. According to filings from the Electoral Commission, this is one of the largest political donations in British history. The donation, which saw Reform UK outpace all other parties in fundraising between July and September, prompted Labour and the Liberal Democrats to call for an Electoral Commission investigation into the party’s finances—particularly given that Farage publicly promoted the cryptocurrency Tether, in which Harborne holds shares, shortly after the donation. Reform UK has stated that none of Harborne’s donations were made in cryptocurrency and has denied any conflict of interest or abuse of position.
The political response to the spending allegations has been swift and pointed. Labour Party chair Anna Turley said, “Nigel Farage needs to reassure the public that he and his party will cooperate fully with the police and put all the evidence they need on the table. All Parliamentarians, including party leaders, must play by the rules so all candidates have a fair hearing with the public. Nigel Farage needs to break his silence on this issue and demonstrate that he and Reform UK have followed the law at all times. Failure to do so will raise even more questions about what he has to hide.”
Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake echoed the call for transparency and accountability, stating, “We all have an obligation to play by the rules to ensure that our elections are free and fair. Clearly, there must now be a full investigation by the Electoral Commission and the police to establish the facts and ensure whether or not Farage and the Reform Party have followed the law.”
Under UK electoral law, there are strict limits on how much can be spent to promote a candidate during an election campaign, with the cap based on the number of registered electors in the area. There is a separate, higher limit for spending to promote a national political party, but national party spending must not directly promote a specific candidate using their photograph or the name of a particular area. Failure to declare all expenses, or making a false declaration, is a serious offence.
Farage’s victory in Clacton in July 2024, with a majority of over 8,000 votes, marked a significant milestone in his political career after several unsuccessful attempts to enter Parliament. However, the ongoing police assessment and the calls for a full investigation by both the Electoral Commission and law enforcement have cast a shadow over his win and the Reform UK campaign’s conduct.
As of now, Essex Police have stated, “We are assessing a report relating to alleged misreported expenditure by a political party in connection with the 2024 general election, following a referral to us by the Met Police.” The outcome of this assessment—and any subsequent investigation—could have far-reaching implications for Farage, his election agent Peter Harris, and the broader Reform UK movement.
The coming weeks are likely to see increased political pressure and public scrutiny as all sides await further developments. For now, the question of whether Reform UK played by the rules or crossed a legal line remains unresolved, with the future of one of Britain’s most prominent political figures hanging in the balance.
