Farage denies stunt as Reform proposes August by-election date

Nigel Farage has told the BBC his resignation as Clacton MP and decision to stand again in a by-election is not a publicity stunt, as his opponents say they will boycott the contest.

The Reform UK leader resigned on Tuesday after facing increasing scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation.

In his first interview since resigning, Farage said: “The media are judging me to be a dishonest person, so it is only fair to say to the voters, ‘you judge’.”

Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party have all declined to take part in the contest for the Essex seat.

Reform says it is proposing holding the by-election on 6 August.

Farage has been under intensifying pressure over his financial support, which has prompted opposition parties to call for Parliament’s standards watchdog to investigate, and renewed media coverage of his financial affairs.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper accused Farage of a “political stunt” saying he wants to “duck and dive around the rules”, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has branded the move a “gimmick”.

The Reform leader, who has denied any wrongdoing, accused the parties of being “scared” to face him and said their lack of co-operation did not make it a “fake” contest.

“They call it a stunt. It’s not a stunt, because real voters will have a vote for an MP,” he said.

A Reform UK spokesman said: “Reform UK will move the writ tomorrow morning, and we are proposing a by-election on 6 August.”

Reform has to ask for a writ to be issued to trigger a by-election process, which has to be approved by MPs. A by-election would take place between 21 and 27 working days after that.

It is not clear yet whether Tendring District Council, which would make the formal arrangements, would be able to hold the contest on that date.

An investigation by the Parliamentary watchdog into a £5m gift he received from a billionaire Reform donor before he was an MP will be suspended during the by-election, but could be resumed if Farage is re-elected.

Parliament rules say newly elected MPs have to declare gifts or benefits received in the 12 months before their election that relate to their “parliamentary or political activities”, however those that are “purely personal” are exempt.

Asked why he did not declare benefits provided by convicted criminal George Cottrell, Farage said: “This is utterly spurious. Utterly spurious.

“I wasn’t in politics. I was a broadcaster and an influencer and he helped me go out into the English Channel when the boats started to come, film that and make it into a public issue.”

He described Cottrell as a volunteer and supporter of Reform.

‘Public opinion’

Farage said he had been painted as a “thoroughly dishonourable and dishonest person”, adding: “I’d much rather be judged in the court of public opinion.”

Asked if he wanted to become Britain’s next prime minister, Farage said yes, but that his family’s privacy must be respected.

He was referring to what he saw as his daughter being “hounded” at one of his properties by Sky News.

The broadcaster has insisted it behaved appropriately.

In his interview, Farage said he was not sure if he was still an MP, but soon after the BBC interview Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she had accepted his resignation.

“If he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won’t stop him,” she wrote on X, referring to by-election rival Count Binface.

Shortly afterwards, the formal notice was published confirming that Farage was no longer an MP.

Actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, of nearby Peldon, announced on Tuesday evening he would be standing against Farage, Count Binface and Adham Alkhatip, who leads the Forward Party.

Asked about what he had done for Clacton since becoming its MP, Farage said: “I’ve done my absolute best to put it on the map in terms of tourism and visits.

“I know the road getting here is a pain but, actually, when you get here you’ve got great beaches.”

He pledged to prioritise potholes and stopping housing developments opposed by locals if re-elected.

“You give me a big vote and we’ll continue our political revolution,” Farage continued.

“If you don’t do it then I think the establishment will just go on and go on working together in an attempt to crush a genuine chance at political change.”