Farage will not face police inquiry into 2024 spending, Essex Police says
Officials say alleged misreported expenditure falls outside the statutory time limit; Electoral Commission could still review the matter
Essex Police said there will be no police inquiry into claims that Reform UK overspent on Nigel Farage’s 2024 general election campaign, ruling that the case cannot proceed because more than a year had passed since the alleged offence.
The allegations were made by Richard Everett, a former member of Farage’s campaign team, who asserted that Reform UK spent beyond the £20,660 spending limit set by law and failed to declare spending on leaflets, banners, utility bills and the refurbishment of a bar in the Clacton constituency office. The documents were forwarded to the Metropolitan Police, which transferred the case to Essex Police. A police spokeswoman noted that any prosecution for such an offence must commence within one year and added that the allegation around misreported expenditure by a political candidate in July 2024 was made on 5 December, a date that put the report outside the statutory window.
Essex Police emphasized that the Representation of the People Act 1983 governs the one-year window for prosecuting these offences, and the department concluded it could not proceed with an investigation.
Farage, who took over as Reform UK leader in June 2024, went on to win the Clacton seat in Essex from the Conservative candidate with a majority of more than 8,000 votes. Reform UK has been contacted for comment about the decision.
Despite the police decision, Farage could still face scrutiny from another regulator. The Electoral Commission retains authority to investigate campaign finance matters, and officials have not indicated that the commission’s review has ended. The commission’s potential involvement would be independent of the police timetable and processes.
The development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of campaign spending practices in the 2024 election cycle and follows Farage’s rapid rise to the Reform UK leadership shortly before the vote. Campaign finance questions continue to surface in other constituencies and within wider discussions about political donations, disclosures and compliance with spending limits.