Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election he has vowed to win again – but Clacton voters are sharply divided over the Reform UK leader, who is simultaneously battling accusations of undeclared financial support and has released CCTV footage accusing Sky News of harassing his daughter.
The resignation came after the Sunday Times reported that Farage had not declared benefits from a £5m gift from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, and that long-term ally George Cottrell – who served eight months in US prison for wire fraud – had provided undeclared funding for security and staffing. Farage, who has never been angrier in his life, posted footage on X of a journalist approaching his home, accusing Sky News of hounding his daughter and lying about it. Sky News admitted it had been part of a broadcast pool outside the property and made reasonable efforts to contact Farage over legitimate questions about the Cottrell gift.
“Farage resigns as Clacton MP, triggering a by-election amid undeclared funding scandal and voter division.”
On the streets of Clacton and Frinton, voters offered contrasting views. Graham Smith pledged to vote for Farage again, alleging a campaign to “poison the political atmosphere against him”. Barber Memmzy Ozy, 31, said he trusted Farage and agreed with his policies on illegal immigration. Shoe shop owner Dean Gardiner said the by-election would “straighten things out” and that he would vote for Farage.
But Frankie Ashworth, 18, said she disagreed with Farage on most subjects and hoped local people would not be “stupid enough to vote him back in”. Denise Webb, a 61-year-old support worker, called Farage “biased”, “negative” and “not a very nice man”, questioning how his plan to remove illegal immigrants would work. Mark from Jaywick complained of “promises, promises, promises” and nothing ever happening.
Close supporters are worried the pressure will not relent, whatever happens in Clacton, according to the New Statesman. The by-election gamble aims to scramble the narrative, but the revelation that Farage’s “man of the people” image is being challenged by the company he keeps – Cottrell’s criminal past and brash spending – may stick with voters. The major parties have yet to confirm candidates, but only Count Binface has so far volunteered to take on Farage.
