Nigel Farage went through the formalities of quitting as an MP today, after the government said it would not block a by-election in Clacton, as ITV News Political Correspondents Carl Dinnen and Harry Horton report
The chancellor has said she will accept Nigel Farage’s resignation as MP, despite describing the resulting by-election as a “farce and a desperate distraction”.
The Reform UK leader announced on Tuesday he was stepping down as the MP for Clacton with an intention to fight for his seat again in a by-election, amid intensifying scrutiny over financial support he had received but not declared.
Historic parliamentary rules dictate the chancellor must appoint an MP to another role for them to be legally disqualified from the House of Commons.
“I will accept Nigel Farage’s request to be appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead,” Rachel Reeves wrote on social media on Wednesday.
“It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better.
“But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won’t stop him.”
Reeves had been urged to deny Farage’s resignation by leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, who requested he be made to stay until the investigation into his finances ends.
“Rather than face the investigation with dignity, Mr Farage is seeking to manipulate Parliamentary rules – and manipulate his own constituents -to evade scrutiny and justice,” Davey wrote.
“He has broken the rules so badly, enriched himself so much, that he believes only this desperate throw of the dice can rescue his position. His cynical ploy cannot come to pass.”
Farage first became the subject of a standards probe over a £5 million gift he received from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne before the general election.
He was then referred to the standards commissioner again at the weekend over support he received from his long-term associate George Cottrell, which included funding for staffing, security and the use of a London townhouse.
The Sunday Times said Cottrell recruited and paid three staff members to work on Farage’s social media before the election and has continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian property he rented near Buckingham Palace.
Cottrell was jailed for eight months in the US in 2017 after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
Under parliamentary rules, newly elected MPs must declare gifts or benefits, including accommodation, received 12 months before their election that relate to “parliamentary or political activities”.
Farage has insisted he has not done anything wrong, and said the gifts and benefits are exempt because they were for personal use.
On Tuesday, he said he had decided to resign to let the “people of Clacton be the judges of my actions”, triggering what he called “a people versus the establishment” by-election.
“It’s a chance to stick two fingers up to the entire establishment to frankly tell them where to go, and that is why I will be putting my name forward to stand in this by-election. I will fight to win,” Farage said.
Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Conservatives, Restore Britain and the Greens have all said they will not field candidates against Farage, meaning he will likely only be contested by Count Binface, a long-term novelty candidate brought to life by comedian Jonathan Harvey.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the announcement as a “desperate stunt”, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called it a “gimmick” and the by-election “fake”.
Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper said the party want to introduce a ‘Clacton Clause’, which would ensure the investigation into Farage continued after he ceases to be an MP.
Lammy, who led PMQs while Keir Starmer is at the Nato summit in Turkey, said it was clear Farage was calling for a by-election to “distract from the fact that he’s up to his neck in sleaze”.
“He’s got serious questions to answer and he can’t run away from them. Labour isn’t going to be part of this circus,” Lammy continued.
“I hear it’s the people versus the establishment – the city trader, Putin-admiring professional politician whose pals with crypto billionaires, versus Count Binface.”
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