Reform UK States Nigel Farage Used ITV Programme Earnings For Surrey House Purchase
Reform UK has confirmed that Nigel Farage's £1.42 million cash purchase of a Surrey property in May 2024 was financed by his earnings from the ITV reality programme, 'I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here'. This disclosure directly addresses speculation connecting the property acquisition to a £5 million personal gift Farage received from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne in April 2024.
The payment from Mr Harborne, described by Reform UK as an unconditional personal gift intended for Farage's security, is now subject to an inquiry by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. This scrutiny follows the payment's public revelation last month, as it did not appear on Farage's declaration of interests as a newly elected MP, despite rules requiring such disclosure for donations received within 12 months prior to election.
Land Registry documents indicate Farage completed the non-mortgaged purchase on 10 May 2024. Reform UK maintains that the property transaction's offer and purchase process commenced prior to the Harborne gift, asserting that Farage had already provided proof of funds and completed necessary checks independently.
Mr Harborne, a British businessman based in Thailand, provided the £5 million gift to Farage on 5 April 2024, two months before Farage announced his candidacy for the general election. Harborne has stated the money was given out of 'great admiration for the decades of work he had done to achieve Brexit' and without expectation of return beyond ensuring Farage's safety. He has since become Reform UK's largest donor, contributing an additional £12 million to the party in 2025.
Farage has dismissed concerns regarding the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner's inquiry, stating the payment was 'given as a reward for campaigning for Brexit' and expressing no worry about the investigation.
