Nigel Farage resigns from Parliament and re-enters the race in a by-election amid two parliamentary investigations

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has made public his resignation from his position as an MP, a decision that will trigger a by-election in the Clacton constituency.

At the same time, he announced that he will run again, saying he wants the public themselves to judge his actions through the ballot box.

Farage’s move comes as he is under two parliamentary investigations related to the declaration of benefits and donations received before the 2024 general election.

According to reports, one of the investigations concerns suspicions that he failed to declare benefits in kind provided by George Cottrell, who was previously convicted by the courts. Meanwhile, Farage is also being investigated over claims that he did not report a £5 million donation from Christopher Harborne, the Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire.

The Reform UK leader has rejected all the accusations, declaring that he has broken no rules and that everything was done in accordance with the law.

Announcing his resignation from the seat, Farage stressed that he wants voters to make the decision about him.

“I have thought long and hard and have decided today to resign as MP for Clacton, triggering a by-election that will be held soon. I have decided that the people of Clacton should be the ones to judge my actions,” he said.

Farage described the expected contest as a battle between “the people and the establishment,” while underlining that he will once again seek the support of voters. “It is an opportunity to send a message to the establishment. That is why I am running again in this by-election,” the Reform UK leader said.

The by-election in Clacton is expected to be held in the coming weeks and is seen as an important political test for Farage as he faces parliamentary investigations and seeks to win a new mandate from the electorate.