The Labour Party has written to Nigel Farage calling on him to end what it describes as evasion of reasonable questions about a £5m personal donation from Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne. The letter comes as planning permission was granted for changes to a rundown property in Kent that Farage owns, with proposals to convert it into a luxury beachfront home. Farage is being examined by the parliamentary standards commissioner following reports that he received the sum weeks before reversing his earlier decision not to contest a seat in the 2024 general election. He later won the Clacton constituency in Essex and maintained a visible media presence through regular briefings, which ceased after the donation details emerged in April. Labour chair Anna Turley accused Farage of avoiding examination and said it was time for him to provide a clear public explanation rather than altering his account. Farage initially stated the money was intended for lifelong personal security but later described it as recognition for his Brexit campaigning. He maintains that disclosure to authorities was unnecessary because he was not an MP when the gift arrived. Turley’s letter argues that the changing explanations raise issues about possible rule breaches, conflicts of interest and accuracy. She noted the public interest in receiving one consistent account and criticised the refusal to answer press inquiries about the large sum. Details have also surfaced of redevelopment plans for the Kent beachfront house bought in 2023 for £575,000 by Farage’s company. The application includes a large extension, four bedrooms, a sea-view balcony, a lift and six bathrooms, with estimates suggesting costs up to £700,000 and a potential value of £1.5m after completion. Farage purchased a separate Surrey property for £1.4m shortly after receiving the donation. Reform UK stated the purchase was funded by his fee from an ITV appearance and that anti-money laundering checks occurred before the gift was received. A spokesperson noted that planning work on the Kent property began before the donation and that no construction has started.
