Arabic version: نيجل فاراج يواجه اتهامات جديدة بشأن الدعم المالي

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, is under scrutiny as new allegations emerge regarding financial support he received from a convicted fraudster. According to The Guardian, George Cottrell, a longtime aide to Farage, provided funding for his operations, including staffing, security, and housing.

Cottrell reportedly paid for three staff members who assisted Farage with social media in the lead-up to the general election. He also offered Farage access to a five-storey Georgian townhouse he rented near Buckingham Palace. The Liberal Democrats have written to the parliamentary standards commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, asking him to look into the gifts provided by Cottrell, which may not have been declared as required under parliamentary rules.

Farage is already facing an investigation into a separate £5 million gift from British-Thai crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. This gift has raised questions about whether it should have been declared, as Farage claimed it was not related to his political activities. The parliamentary standards commissioner is expected to report findings on this matter soon.

Cottrell, who has a controversial background including a conviction for wire fraud, remains a close adviser to Farage. Reform UK’s Treasury spokesperson, Robert Jenrick, defended the funding, stating that it was provided by a personal friend before Farage became a Member of Parliament.

If the standards watchdog finds that Farage has breached parliamentary rules, he could face various consequences, including a possible suspension from the Commons. This would allow his constituents to trigger a by-election if he is suspended for more than ten sitting days.