Nigel Farage has provided a new rationale for not purchasing a residence in Clacton, citing concerns about security. The Reform leader has come under scrutiny following assertions that he had acquired a property in his electoral district, which was later revealed to be owned by his partner, Laure Ferrari. Had he personally bought the four-bedroom house for £885,000, he would have incurred an additional £44,000 in costs. However, Farage maintains that his actions were above board.
In a recent statement, Farage explained that he chose not to have his name on the property deed for security considerations. While he previously mentioned that Ms. Ferrari had procured the house using funds from her “successful French family,” he did not reiterate this explanation during his latest comments to the media.
Addressing reporters, Farage clarified, “My partner, being a private individual, made the purchase of a property in the constituency, which I endorsed.” He emphasized that he sought validation from an independent tax expert to ensure the legality of the transaction, confirming that all necessary checks were conducted, and the appropriate stamp duty was paid. Farage affirmed that no laws were violated in the process and declined to provide further details regarding the funding source.
Regarding previous statements made to The Mirror, Farage asserted, “I haven’t provided any financial assistance to anyone. She comes from a highly prosperous French background and has the means to afford it independently.” He confirmed that the property in question is solely owned by Ms. Ferrari in the UK and denied any tax-saving scheme, dismissing such allegations as baseless.
Despite ongoing inquiries, there is no indication of any misconduct by either Nigel Farage or his partner concerning the Clacton property. The Labour party has expressed skepticism over the evolving narratives regarding Farage’s housing arrangements and urged transparency regarding the financial aspects of the situation.
Recent disclosures revealed that Farage had previously mentioned Ms. Ferrari’s temporary stay in 2017, highlighting her need for accommodation without financial burden before their relationship began. The property purchase, initially attributed to Farage in November, was later clarified to have been acquired by his partner, who paid standard stamp duty rates as it is her primary residence. Farage, with a property portfolio valued at £3 million, acknowledged the error in his earlier statements about buying the house and confirmed the absence of a mortgage, indicating a cash payment for the property.