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.
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.