REFORM UK leader Nigel Farage said on Wednesday (September 2) he was "absolutely convinced" he had done nothing wrong after a parliamentary standards investigation into his financial declarations resumed following his return to parliament.
Farage was sworn in on Tuesday (September 1) after winning a self-triggered by-election in southern England in August, regaining the seat he resigned from in a bid to secure a fresh mandate amid scrutiny of his finances.
Speaking to the BBC, Farage denied any wrongdoing, saying he had not broken any laws and had not benefited from public funds.
"I haven't broken the law. Haven't broken tax laws. I haven't taken a penny of public money," Farage said. "I am absolutely convinced I have done nothing wrong."
The investigation centers on whether Farage should have declared a gift from a Thailand-based billionaire before the 2024 general election. Farage has acknowledged receiving the money and not declaring it but argues it was a personal gift rather than a political donation.
"This was purely personal. It was given no strings attached. It was unconditional," he said. "If they find me guilty, they'll find me guilty of not filling in a piece of paper."
Farage also sought to look beyond the controversy, saying Reform UK was preparing a major campaign in the coming months and promising swift action if the party wins power.
"If we win the general election, we will, in the first hundred days, put in place some fundamental changes to the direction of this country," he said. "If the cabinet ministers that I appoint to do those jobs don't deliver, they will be sacked."
