Electoral Commission rules out investigation into Nigel Farage spending

The Electoral Commission says it will not investigate Nigel Farage’s general election spending after accusations the Reform UK leader had broken the law.

Labour had called for the watchdog to look into the Reform UK leader’s costs in the Clacton constituency, alleging that an overspend could have breached electoral law.

It followed claims by a former Reform councillor and member of Mr Farage’s campaign team, Richard Everett, who accused the party’s leader of failing to declare spending on leaflets, banners, utility bills and the refurbishment of a bar in its Clacton campaign office.

He alleged Reform UK spent more than the £20,660 limit in the Essex constituency.

But the Electoral Commission said it has not identified any spending which should have been declared.

In a letter to Reform UK, the Electoral Commission wrote: “We did not identify credible evidence of potential offences of electoral law.”

“Therefore, our decision is to close our consideration of the matter following initial enquiries and take no further action.”

It comes after police also ruled out investigating claims Mr Farage overspent during his election campaign due to time restrictions.

The electoral agent for Mr Farage, Peter Harris, said it was a “politically motivated complaint” that had been “thoroughly examined and decisively dismissed”.

“The facts are clear, the process has been properly followed, and there is no basis for any further allegation, inference, or repetition of these claims,” he said.

Reform previously strongly denied breaking the law on election spending, and accused Mr Everett of being a “disgruntled former councillor” who was expelled from the party “several months ago”.