Badenoch rules out Tory-Reform pact, questions Farage over £5m gift
8 reported
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has ruled out an electoral pact with Reform UK and criticized Nigel Farage over a £5m gift he received before the general election. Writing in the Mail on Sunday after Reform’s poor showing in Thursday’s byelections, Badenoch said the results have left the idea of a deal with Reform “stone-dead.” She questioned Farage’s acceptance of the gift from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, which was first revealed by the Guardian in April. Farage has changed his explanation for the gift, initially saying it was for personal security and later calling it a reward for his Brexit campaigning. The gift is under investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner. Badenoch also highlighted the Conservative victory in Aberdeen South, where Reform came a distant third, as evidence that a pact would have diminished the win. A Reform spokesperson told the Guardian that the party will not need to deal with the Tories, noting Reform has led national opinion polls for over a year.
What’s reported
Kemi Badenoch ruled out an electoral pact with Reform UK after Reform’s poor showing in Thursday’s byelections.
Badenoch questioned Nigel Farage’s acceptance of a £5m gift from Thailand-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.
The gift was first revealed by the Guardian in April; Farage changed his explanation from personal security to a Brexit reward.
The parliamentary standards commissioner is investigating whether the gift should have been declared.
In Thursday’s byelections, Labour’s Andy Burnham won Makerfield with a 9,000-plus majority over Reform’s Robert Kenyon.
The Scottish Tories defeated the Scottish National party in Aberdeen South, with Reform coming third.
Badenoch wrote that a pact would have diminished the Conservative victory in Aberdeen.
A Reform spokesperson said the party will not deal with the Tories and has led national opinion polls for over a year.
Key figures
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader
Nigel Farage, Reform UK figure
Christopher Harborne, Thailand-based crypto billionaire
Andy Burnham, Labour candidate who won Makerfield
Robert Kenyon, Reform candidate in Makerfield
Keir Starmer, prime minister expected to announce departure on Monday
Reform spokesperson (unnamed)
Sources: The Guardian
