As reported by the Sunday Times, Jenrick confirmed on Sunday that Farage received staff, security, and accommodation from Cottrell. However, Jenrick argued that these were personal gifts provided before Farage entered parliament and therefore not subject to declaration requirements.
According to the Sunday Times, Cottrell, who was convicted of wire fraud in the United States, hired social media staff for Farage and allowed him to use his townhouse near Buckingham Palace. When asked by the BBC, Jenrick admitted that Cottrell had funded Farage’s social media presence in 2024. He stressed, however, that the benefits were provided in a purely private capacity.
The revelations add to a series of questions about Farage’s financing. Earlier this year, the Guardian revealed that Farage had failed to declare a five-million-pound donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. The Liberal Democrats have now referred the Cottrell gifts to the parliamentary standards commissioner, who is already investigating the Harborne affair.
Source: www.theguardian.com
