Nigel Farage has retained the Clacton-on-Sea seat in a by-election, but could face another contest if a parliamentary standards investigation results in a Commons suspension of more than 10 days. The inquiry concerns a £5m payment from cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne, which Farage says was personal and therefore did not need to be declared; its outcome could test both his standing locally and Reform UK’s support.

The investigation, paused when Farage resigned, has reopened following his re-election and will examine whether the payment was a relevant interest that should have been registered. A suspension exceeding 10 days would trigger a recall petition, requiring signatures from 10 per cent of Clacton’s electorate before a second by-election could be held. Although Farage remains popular in the constituency, Count Binface won nearly 10,000 votes in the recent poll, indicating a notable protest vote.