Nigel Farage quits UK Parliament amid donations row, vows to seek re-election

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has resigned from his seat as a Member of Parliament for Clacton, effective Tuesday, July 7, 2026. This decision follows mounting scrutiny and a parliamentary investigation into significant undeclared donations he received, including a £5 million gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire and alleged financial support from a convicted fraudster. Farage maintains his innocence, asserting that the donations were personal and not linked to his political role.

In a defiant move, Farage immediately announced his intention to contest the by-election triggered by his resignation, framing it as a "people versus the establishment" battle. He aims to clear his name through the ballot box, arguing that the voters of Clacton should be the judges of his actions. Political opponents, however, have largely dismissed his move as a "stunt" and some have indicated a potential boycott of the by-election.