Richard Tice, the deputy leader of Reform UK, is currently under investigation by the standards commissioner for allegedly failing to disclose a potential conflict of interest. This inquiry comes at a time when his superior, Nigel Farage, is facing increased scrutiny regarding his financial affairs.
The investigation into Mr. Tice revolves around his supposed lack of disclosure of an interest related to Israel while discussing antisemitism in Westminster Hall. It was initiated on July 28. In response to the probe, Mr. Tice expressed disbelief, stating that he is being investigated for opposing antisemitism and highlighted the complaint lodged by an anti-Israel lobby group regarding his failure to reference his interests at the beginning of a debate on UK democracy and Israeli influence.
Additionally, Mr. Tice is being investigated under rule six of the MPs’ code of conduct, which mandates transparency in disclosing any relevant interests during House proceedings or interactions with public officials. Meanwhile, Mr. Farage had previously faced a standards investigation for not declaring a £5 million gift from a Thai-based cryptocurrency billionaire. This investigation was halted when Mr. Farage resigned as an MP but will resume if he is re-elected in the upcoming Clacton by-election.
Reform UK has maintained that the £5 million gift to Mr. Farage was a personal, unconditional donation, exempting it from mandatory disclosure requirements. The Standards Commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, is examining whether Mr. Farage violated Parliamentary regulations by not declaring potentially relevant gifts or donations received within the year before entering the Commons.
The £5 million gift from Mr. Harborne to Mr. Farage came just before Mr. Farage announced his candidacy in the Clacton constituency in 2024.