Nigel Farage has declined to commit to making his tax records public, citing it as an invasion of privacy. The Reform leader, who has disclosed over £800,000 in earnings from external sources since entering Parliament, was questioned about transparency similar to Prime Ministers Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer. In a conversation with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, Farage stated, “I have not released my personal tax returns. I personally view this as an intrusion too far. I do not believe it is necessary.”
Moreover, Farage expressed his reluctance to do so following his acknowledgment of erroneously claiming ownership of a residence in his Clacton constituency, which was actually purchased by his girlfriend. The property, a four-bedroom house with a pool, is solely owned by his partner Laure Ferrari, who paid nearly £900,000 for it. Had Farage bought the property himself, he would have incurred at least £75,000 in second home stamp duty, saving £44,000 and prompting accusations of hypocrisy regarding his calls for Angela Rayner to resign.
When questioned by Kuenssberg, Farage responded, “The fact that she has purchased a house, I mean, why not?” He criticized a Mirror report as “disgusting” for raising the issue.
Farage hinted at the potential recruitment of more former Conservative members to join the Reform party, acknowledging the party’s lack of governmental experience. However, he ruled out the possibility of Boris Johnson joining, citing Reform’s deficiency in experience as its primary weakness and affirming that more ministers would be welcomed.
Farage expressed that party members would not be receptive to Johnson joining, stating, “I don’t think that would work somehow,” and criticized Johnson for allowing “millions” of legal migrants into the UK during his tenure. Labour Party chairwoman Anna Turley criticized Farage, stating, “Nigel Farage lacks a plan for Britain. By admitting a lack of confidence in his team’s ability to execute a plan, ‘Don’t know’ responses will not address the country’s challenges.”
Turley added, “Presenting oneself for high office while acknowledging the team’s inadequacy to govern is not patriotism but egotism. Britain deserves better.”