The Huffington Post
Fiona Bruce and Zia Yusuf on BBC Question Time Zia Yusuf clashed with BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce over Nigel Farage’s undisclosed donation from a crypto billionaire. The Guardian revealed the Reform leader was given £5 million by Christopher Harborne in June 2024, shortly before announcing he was going to start in the general election. Farage won the Clacton seat in July 2024. Parliamentary rules state any benefits received up to 12 months before taking office should be declared in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, depending on their use, within one month of their election. The rules say: “If there is any doubt, the benefit should be registered.” The Electoral Commission is now considering whether to launch an investigation into Farage following calls from the Conservatives for the elections watchdog to initiate a probe. Reform UK insists the money was given as an “unconditional gift” to Farage at a time when he was the party’s honorary president and that he used the funds for security arrangements. On BBC Question Time last night, host Fiona Bruce pointed out that the right-wing party had been enraged when Labour was found to have taken gifts from donors after the 2024 general election. She said: “When Labour, when Keir Starmer, was given a gift of a couple of suits and some glasses, Reform jumped up and down –” Reform’s Home Affairs spokesperson, Yusuf, cut in: “Let me answer that question directly because there is clearly an insinuation here that Nigel has broken the rules.” He added, “I don’t know if you’ve actually read the code of conduct, Fiona –” “Of course I have,” she said, smiling. “OK, fine,” Yusuf said. “So if you have read it then you will know that chapter three, section 25 makes crystal clear that members must not do not register interests under the category of those benefits that do not have any relation to their business in the House. The House being the House of Commons. “That gift was an unconditional gift for Nigel’s private purposes before he even considered becoming an MP.” Bruce interrupted: “It also says, bigger than a trade quote, simply not the case. “The possible motive of the giver and the use to which the gift is to be put should be considered, if there’s any doubt, the benefit should be [registered] –” Yusuf cut in: “And there is no doubt. Because again, let me be crystal clear. Chapter three, section 25. Look, I’m literally giving you the relevant sections of the code of conduct that are in play here. Nigel has done absolutely nothing wrong.” Fiona Bruce, "So you don't need to state that, I think, to our audience, but he was given a gift of £5 million and did not declare it" "And when Labour, when Keir Starmer was given a gift of a couple of suits and some glasses, reform jumped up and down about that. Zia Yusuf,… pic.twitter.com/GGbdQ5tYY5 — Farrukh (@implausibleblog) April 30, 2026 Reform UK MP’s education spokesperson Suella Braverman also clashed with Sky News’ Sophy Ridge over the donation this week. She said Farage needed security before he became an MP, asking the presenter: “Are you suggesting Nigel Farage should be going around without security? Are you suggesting he should be killed?” Ridge replied: “You are deliberately misinterpreting what I’ve said. I’ve said throughout the interview that I absolutely understand the reason Nigel Farage needs security, and I agree with him. “I’m talking about declaring a financial benefit.” Subscribe to Commons People , the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster. Related... Exclusive: Labour Minister Claims Farage 'Cannot Be Trusted' On World Stage Exclusive: Farage Urged To Sack Reform Candidate Who Called Zelenskyy 'A Nazi' Nigel Farage Slammed Over Reform UK's 'Cruel' Plan For Mass Deportations
Go to News Site