Essex Police probe Reform UK Clacton spending claims

Essex Police are investigating allegations that Reform UK exceeded spending limits during Nigel Farage's successful 2024 general election campaign in Clacton, following a complaint from a former party member. The claims, submitted to the Metropolitan Police by Richard Everett, a former Reform UK councillor and campaign aide, suggest the party misreported local expenses as national spending and failed to declare costs that pushed totals beyond the £20,660 legal cap for the Essex constituency.

Everett, who defected from the Conservatives to Reform UK last year before being expelled several months ago, served as a sub-agent monitoring expenses during the campaign. He alleges that undeclared items included marketing materials such as leaflets featuring Farage's image and local ward names, banners, utility bills for electricity and broadband, and the refurbishment of a bar in the Clacton campaign office in Reform UK colors. Additionally, he claims the party did not report the loan of an armoured Land Rover used by Farage at a July 3 rally as a donation. According to Everett, official returns showed spending at £20,299.80, just under the limit by £400, but actual costs exceeded it by...