Nigel Farage has admitted that his family no longer supports his decision to remain in politics, saying his loved ones would rather he “packed it up and walked away” as Reform UK faces a fresh funding controversy.
The Reform leader said he had been giving serious thought to his political future amid mounting pressure over allegations involving potential foreign donations to the party.
Two senior Reform figures, chief of staff Dan Jukes and head of policy James Orr, have stepped down pending an internal investigation after being filmed by undercover reporters discussing how a proposed £500,000 donation from an American backer might be channelled to the party.
The footage, broadcast by Channel 4, appeared to show the men discussing a possible arrangement involving the supposed donor’s UK-based son. Electoral law restricts donations to political parties to permissible sources, including individuals registered to vote in the UK and qualifying UK-based organisations.
Mr Farage, who was filmed meeting the alleged donors, has rejected the suggestion that he knowingly took part in any attempt to circumvent the rules. He described the conversations involving his aides as “loose pub talk” and insisted that Reform UK had done nothing wrong.
The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of media reporting concerning political party donations and an alleged breach of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. No finding of wrongdoing has been announced.
The latest dispute adds to scrutiny of Reform’s finances and follows an investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards into a £5 million gift received by Mr Farage from businessman Christopher Harborne.
Mr Farage has previously argued that the money was a private gift rather than a political donation and has denied any wrongdoing. The standards inquiry remains ongoing.
Speaking about the personal toll of the latest controversy, Mr Farage said the lack of support from his family had given him pause for thought.
He has led or founded several political movements over more than two decades and became Reform UK’s leader after returning to frontline politics ahead of the 2024 general election.
