Overview
- Essex Police said they are assessing a report passed on by the Metropolitan Police about alleged misreported spending in the 2024 Clacton contest.
- Richard Everett, a former Reform UK councillor who worked on the campaign, submitted documents and is expected to be interviewed about his claims.
- Copies of Nigel Farage’s candidate return list £20,299.80 in costs, while Everett alleges roughly £9,000 in undeclared items such as leaflets, banners, utility bills, a campaign-office bar refurbishment and a loaned armoured Land Rover.
- Reform UK denies any breach of electoral law and has described Everett as a disgruntled ex-member who was expelled, allegations he rejects as a smear.
- The Electoral Commission says candidate spending is for the police to enforce, as Labour urges the watchdog to examine whether any costs were incorrectly reported in Reform’s national return and Conservatives call for inquiries.