Reform wouldn’t take Tory reject, Farage says as he calls for voters who think he’s a crook to get rid of him
Nigel Farage said Reform UK would not accept former Conservative cabinet minister Grant Shapps, after Shapps was reportedly barred from standing again for the Conservatives. Farage also defended his decision to trigger a Clacton by-election amid scrutiny of his finances, saying voters could remove him if they believed he was dishonest.
The parliamentary standards watchdog is examining whether Farage should have declared a £5 million gift from crypto businessman Christopher Harborne and support from George Cottrell, a convicted criminal; Farage says legal advice indicated no declaration was required. Labour and the Conservatives will not contest the by-election, leaving Farage among 34 candidates, while he has cited heightened security costs following the killing of Reform spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.
- Farage rejects any prospect of Grant Shapps joining Reform UK.
- He says Clacton voters can judge allegations about his finances.
- Standards watchdog examines undeclared support linked to Farage.