Nigel Farage resigned as the Member of Parliament for Clacton, triggering a by-election that he plans to contest. The move follows weeks of scrutiny over financial declarations.
Farage stepped down after questions arose about a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency investor Christopher Harborne that may have required registration under parliamentary rules. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is investigating the matter, along with reports of support from associate George Cottrell.
Farage stated that voters in Clacton should judge his actions. He described the contest as a choice between the people and the establishment.
Major parties including Labour and the Conservatives have said they will not field candidates. This leaves independent Count Binface as one of the more prominent opponents.
The by-election will be the sixth in the constituency since the 2024 general election. The standards investigation will continue regardless of the outcome.