Nigel Farage has been urged to “come clean” amid claims his campaign broke the law by spending too much during last year’s general election.
The Reform UK leader is facing a police probe after the allegations were made by one of the party’s former councillors.
According to The Telegraph, Farage’s campaign has been accused of falsely reporting his election expenses during his successful bid to become Clacton MP in July last year.
Richard Everett, a former Reform UK councillor and member of Farage’s campaign team, has submitted documents to the Metropolitan Police showing the party spent more than the £20,660 limit in the Essex constituency.
Reform have accused Everett – who defected to the party from the Conservatives last year – of being a “disgruntled former councillor” who was expelled from the party “several months ago”.
The party’s official returns report that it came just £400 under the spending limit, but Everett said undeclared spending on other items like leaflets, banners and utility bills would have put it above the cap.
Labour chair Anna Turley said: “Nigel Farage needs to urgently answer serious questions about whether he broke the law and misled the public when standing for election to parliament.
“Our parliamentary democracy relies on people playing by the rules so all candidates have a fair hearing with the public.
“Nigel Farage must come clean and put all the evidence on the table to prove he hasn’t undermined our democracy by breaking the rules. Failure to do so will raise even more questions about what he has to hide.”
Tory chair Kevin Hollinrake said: “We all have an obligation to play by the rules to ensure that our elections are free and fair.
“Clearly, there must now be a full investigation by the Electoral Commission and the police to establish the facts and ensure whether or not Farage and the Reform Party have followed the law.”
A Reform spokesman said: “These inaccurate claims come from a disgruntled former councillor.”
He added: “The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name.”
