Nigel Farage faces 33 rivals in record Clacton by-election amid financial probe

Nigel Farage will face 33 other candidates in the Clacton by-election on 13 August, including 20 independents and a host of joke contenders, in what is thought to be the largest number of candidates in a modern UK by-election. The Reform UK leader triggered the contest by resigning on 7 July after increased scrutiny over his finances and a parliamentary investigation, but is standing again. None of the main Westminster parties – Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats or the Greens – are fielding candidates, leaving Farage as the sole representative of a major party. Among his most high-profile opponents are Count Binface – revealed to be household name Jon Harvey – and actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox. The Monster Raving Loony party has three candidates: Nick The Incredible Flying Brick, Howling Hope and Baron Von Thunderclap. The previous record of 26 candidates was set at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008, triggered by Tory Sir David Davis's resignation. The by-election was called after Farage admitted in an interview with the Triggernometry podcast that his close friend George Cottrell, a convicted fraudster, let him use one of his London homes and paid for social media filming before the last election. Farage insisted the support was “totally undeclarable in every single way” and unrelated to politics, claiming he sought advice from a “top international lawyer” who told him the £5m gift from Thailand-based businessman Christopher Harborne did not need to be declared because it was unconditional. The standards commissioner is investigating both the support in kind from Cottrell and the Harborne donation, which Farage acknowledged could lead to a finding against him. Financial support must be declared within 12 months of an MP's election if linked to political activities. Farage also referred to a £500,000 donation from Cottrell's mother, Fiona, which is under police investigation, calling it “his mother's donation” and suggesting a conspiracy against his party: “Everything is being coordinated together to try and knock us out of the game. That's why I'm fighting this byelection. I'm saying: let the people decide.” The by-election effectively serves as a referendum on Farage's future. If the standards commissioner rules against him, he could face a second by-election or a recall petition. For now, voters in Clacton will have 34 names on their ballot, a record that reflects the extraordinary nature of a contest boycotted by the establishment parties.