The Mirror’s Deputy Political Editor Ashley Cowburn writes in…
Nigel Farage teased on social media that he will make an announcement about his “future in public life”.
There were no further details and the void is being filed with speculation over whether the under-fire Reform boss will throw in the towel.
It wouldn’t be the first time. He quit as Ukip leader in 2016 saying: “I want my life back.”
And in 2021 he quit as chief of Reform – the rebranded Brexit Party – stepping back from frontline politics.
Today he faces immense pressure over financial support allegedly given to him by a convicted fraudster, and a £5 million gift he received from the Thai-based crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne.
But Farage is no stranger to a bit of political theatre and could use today’s statement – at 2pm – to launch another attack on the media and the “establishment” to get him.
Yesterday he whined: “It’s now clear the establishment will stop at nothing to hurt Reform – we want to smash their cosy consensus.” So, we could be in for more of this sentiment.
Farage is also facing a probe by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over the £5million gift.
If found to have broken the MPs’ code of conduct he could face a penalty, with one of the most severe outcomes being a suspension from Parliament of more than 10 days. In this scenario a by-election would likely be triggered in his Clacton constituency.
This has led to speculation the Reform boss could also use the 2pm statement to get ahead of the process and quit as MP – triggering a by-election in Clacton in an attempt to challenge his critics.
But even if he is returned as an MP, the standards probe would likely be revived.
At 2pm, we’ll find out.
