Nigel Farage reported by anti-corruption chairman to standards watchdog over Reform UK leader's ‘crypto lobbying’
Nigel Farage has been reported to Parliament's standards watchdog, with the Reform UK leader accused of "crypto lobbying".
The Clacton MP is accused of lobbying the Bank of England to scrap a cryptocurrency plan that could have severely impacted one of Reform UK's biggest backers, Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne.
Mr Farage has claimed cryptocurrency tycoon Mr Harborne wanted nothing in exchange for the £15million he donated to the party and the undeclared £5million gift to the Reform UK leader.
He has reasoned he did not need to declare the gift, which he was given before he announced he would stand for Parliament in 2024, because it was not related to his political activities.
However, Mr Farage used a private meeting at the Bank to urge its Governor, Andrew Bailey, to drop plans for a state-run alternative to the digital currency, reports The Guardian.
Back in October, the Reform UK leader told a Zebu Live event in London he looked upon the Bank’s plans for a digital pound with "total and utter horror”.
Mr Farage said: "I asked (Mr Bailey) straight, 'Are you still progressing your plans for a British central bank digital currency?' And the answer was: 'Yes.'"
He went on to tell the crowd he was "prepared to go to prison" to stop the "Britcoin" proposal.
Chairman of the parliamentary group on anti-corruption & responsible tax and Labour MP for Bolton West, Phil Brickell, has now reported Mr Farage to the to the standards commissioner.
He said: "Farage took a £5million gift from Christopher Harborne, we know that. We also know that he has since used his platform, both publicly and privately, to advance positions that could benefit Mr Harborne’s crypto interests.
“Before meeting the governor of the Bank of England, Farage openly championed Tether, criticised proposed restrictions on stablecoins and vowed to challenge the Bank’s approach. He has since claimed credit for persuading the Bank to soften its position.
"This is not simply a debate about cryptocurrency. It is about whether an MP who has received millions from one individual should be lobbying for policies that could increase the value and profitability of that (Reform UK) donor’s investments."
He continued: "Mr Harborne is a major investor in Tether, a company that stood to gain from the weakening of stablecoin restrictions. Harborne also stood to benefit from opposition to a state-backed digital currency that could compete with private stablecoins.
"The public will rightly ask whether these events are pure coincidence or a case of political influence being exercised on behalf of a billionaire backer.
"That’s why I’ve asked the standards commissioner to investigate and establish the facts."
Reform UK declined to comment when approached by GB News. A spokesman for the Standards Committee said: "The Commissioner is unable to comment on the conduct of individual MPs outside of the information published."
Mr Farage has previously reasoned he did not need to declare the gift, which he was given before he announced he would stand for Parliament in 2024, because it was not related to politics.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: "If you’re asking the British public to trust you with running the country, you should be willing and able to answer basic questions about your financial and property interests, and explain why you failed to declare a £5million donation."
Responding to a question from Reform MP for Ashfield at yesterday's PMQs, the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: "He likes to ask questions. He should be asking questions of the leader of his party sitting next to him,.
"Did their leader carry out lobbying, paid? Why did he keep his £5million gift secret? And are they happy with their leader earning £20,000 per hour flogging gold bullion? They need to ask the questions across their benches, but they never do."
Reform UK accepted £15million in donations from Mr Harborne between August 2025 and February 2026.
Mr Farage’s meeting with the Bank of England's Governor was in September 2025.
During previous reporting, a Reform UK spokesman said: "This is utter rubbish. Nigel’s only focus is on saving the country."
At the time of the meeting, a spokesman from the Bank said Mr Farage’s meeting with Mr Bailey was a part of their "engagement with political representatives", adding the Reform UK leader had a "differing view" from the Governor.