London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jul 01, 2025

MPs' Standards Watchdog Investigates Nigel Farage's Links with US PR Firm

MPs' Standards Watchdog Investigates Nigel Farage's Links with US PR Firm

Questions arise over undeclared support from a Trump official and the implications for parliamentary conduct.
The Members' Standards Watchdog is being urged to investigate whether Nigel Farage, the MP for Clacton-on-Sea, should have disclosed substantial support provided by a US public relations adviser with ties to Donald Trump.

Alexandra Preate, who operates the PR firm Capital HQ, reportedly assisted Farage on over 100 occasions throughout 2024, organizing various political engagements, media events, and travel arrangements in the United States.

Preate’s collaboration with Farage concluded in February 2025, coinciding with her appointment as an adviser to Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary.

Previously, Preate served as a press spokesperson for Steve Bannon, a key strategist for Trump.

The Good Law Project, a campaigning organization, contacted the Commons Standards Commissioner this week to highlight the lack of registration for this support on Farage's parliamentary register of interests.

Jolyon Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, referenced documents released under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) from the United States Department of Justice, which indicated that Farage received multiple forms of hospitality and logistical support from Capital HQ from February 2023 through February 2025. Maugham noted that since becoming an MP in the last election, Farage has failed to declare this support.

A recent US disclosure indicated that following September 2023, Capital HQ's involvement in Farage's political activities was almost daily.

According to the MPs' code of conduct, members are required to register any donations exceeding £1,500, encompassing 'support in kind' such as advice, information services, hospitality, and travel benefits, including those provided at a concessionary rate.

Moreover, if an MP accepts gifts exceeding £300 from foreign sources related to their role or political activities, these must also be registered.

Since his election, Farage has made at least eight trips to the United States, many associated with political events, media appearances, or his role as the leader of the Reform UK party.

Some trips are linked to his outside employment arrangements.

Expenses filed under FARA revealed that in July 2024, Capital HQ covered hotel accommodation expenses for Farage amounting to $3,531.10 (£2,729.24) for lodging at the Hilton Hotel Inn in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the Republican National Convention.

The MPs' register notes that Christopher Harborne, a millionaire investor in cryptocurrency and aviation fuel, financed Farage's hotel stay.

Harborne has previously made statements indicating a hands-off approach to Farage's political dealings, stating that 'Nigel Farage is a politician, not an accountant.'

Additionally, recent entries on the MPs' register disclose that Farage's trip to Florida in December, during which he met Trump adviser and billionaire Elon Musk, was partially funded by George Cottrell, a former fraudster, who covered £15,000 for Farage's flight.

In January 2025, Farage also benefited from a £27,600 trip to the US to attend the inauguration of Trump as president, a trip reportedly financed by Harborne.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
×