Farage approval rating drops to low amid finance probe

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has seen his personal approval rating plummet to a record low amid an ongoing parliamentary investigation into his finances, according to a new opinion poll. The Reform leader, who recently resigned as MP for Clacton to force a byelection, now faces a net approval rating of minus 27 percentage points, his worst score since entering Parliament.

The slump follows weeks of intense scrutiny over a £5 million gift from cryptocurrency billionaire and Reform donor Christopher Harborne, as well as support provided by convicted fraudster George Cottrell. Parliamentary authorities are investigating the undeclared gift from Harborne, while reports have detailed Cottrell's financial backing for Farage's office and security. Farage has consistently denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigations a politically motivated attack by the establishment. He stated that the gift from Harborne was personal and did not require declaration.

In response to the pressure, Farage announced his resignation as MP for Clacton last week, framing the ensuing August 13 byelection as a chance for his constituents to judge his actions. However, his strategy was complicated...