Nigel Farage is facing an outstanding default judgment related to an alleged debt of nearly £10,000, recent reports have revealed.
According to county court records, the judgment was issued against Farage in June 2024, just before he assumed office as an MP. The exact nature of the debt, its recipient, and the purpose remain undisclosed.
Reform UK, in response to the discovery of the judgment by Channel 4 News, stated that Farage had no prior knowledge of the case. Meanwhile, Labour Party chair Anna Turley criticized Farage’s financial transparency, questioning his capability to manage public finances effectively if his party were to gain power.
The judgment, dated June 13, was delivered shortly after Farage’s announcement of his MP candidacy. A default judgment is issued when a party fails to respond to a legal claim for owed funds.
Such judgments are archived for six years, potentially affecting one’s credit standing. A spokesperson for the Reform UK leader clarified that the default judgment resulted from an incorrect address, leading to non-receipt of the legal order. Additionally, it was noted that Farage had dealt with previous unacknowledged debt claims.
The registered address on the judgment belonged to Farage Media Ltd, a now-dissolved business in Leigh on Sea. The judgment was issued in Farage’s name.
Reports claim that Farage disputes the County Court Judgment (CCJ) claim, emphasizing ongoing scrutiny of his financial affairs. This scrutiny intensified after revelations that he had received a £5 million gift from a Thai crypto billionaire before the recent general election, a contribution that was not declared as required by parliamentary standards.
Despite the controversy, Farage insists the gift was a personal, unconditional offering. He used part of the funds to purchase a house without a mortgage shortly afterward, as confirmed by Reform UK.
The source of the £5 million gift and its utilization remain points of contention, with financial analysis suggesting the TV payout remained in Farage’s company balance sheet.
In response to the ongoing investigation, a Reform spokesperson highlighted Farage’s adherence to anti-money laundering checks and highlighted his diverse income sources as detailed in his parliamentary register.
Farage has defended the undisclosed gift, attributing it to his decades-long advocacy for Brexit. However, critics like Anna Turley continue to challenge the transparency and integrity of his financial dealings, urging him to clarify the allocation of the significant sum.
Reform UK has been approached for comment on the matter.