Another week, another headline for Nigel Farage — but this one cuts deeper than a soundbite. This one is the Farage Clacton election expenses scandal involving possible Reform UK overspending.
A former campaign team member has reported Farage’s Reform UK campaign in Clacton to the Metropolitan Police, alleging election expenses fraud. The claim? That the party submitted false or incomplete spending declarations to the Electoral Commission — potentially breaching legal limits during Farage’s high-profile campaign in Clacton-on-Sea.
This isn’t just another internal dispute. It raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and how Reform UK conducts its campaigns — right at the moment when the party is trying to brand itself as the antidote to political sleaze.
Let’s break down exactly what’s happening, who’s involved, and where this could go.
Who is Richard Everett?
At the heart of the story is Cllr. Richard Everett, a name familiar to local voters in Tendring District. He’s a long-serving councillor for Frinton and — until recently — a member of the Reform UK group on the council.
Everett’s political journey has been fluid. A former Conservative, he joined Reform UK in mid-2024, aligning himself with Farage’s return to frontline politics. By early 2025, however, he had left the party and now sits as an independent.
Why the sudden departure? Reform UK alleges Everett was expelled over “sexually inappropriate behaviour,” an accusation the councillor has not publicly addressed. Some see this as a smokescreen. Others point to a growing internal culture war within Reform’s ranks.
What is clear is that Everett was directly involved in Farage’s general election campaign in Clacton — and now he’s blowing the whistle.
What Are the Reform UK Overspending Allegations?
According to an exclusive in The Telegraph, Everett has presented the Metropolitan Police with what he claims is evidence of fraudulent or underreported campaign spending.
The expenses in question include:
- Leaflets and printed campaign materials
- Large banners
- Utility bills for the campaign office
- And, most curiously, the refurbishment of a bar inside the Clacton campaign HQ
Everett’s central claim is that these expenses were not fully declared to the Electoral Commission, meaning Reform UK may have breached the legal spending cap for constituency campaigns.
If true, this could constitute a serious violation of the UK’s electoral law, particularly under the Representation of the People Act 1983, which governs election finances.
How Has Reform UK Responded?
Reform has issued a sharp rebuttal, dismissing Everett as a “disgruntled former councillor” whose credibility is undermined by his own alleged misconduct.
In a statement to The Telegraph, a party spokesperson said:
“These inaccurate claims come from a disgruntled former councillor. The party denies breaking electoral law. We look forward to clearing our name.”
The party’s line is clear: this is political score-settling from a man with a personal axe to grind. But that hasn’t stopped senior figures from other parties from calling for a full police and Electoral Commission investigation.
Is There a Legal Path Forward?
Here’s where it gets complicated.
Electoral offences are usually bound by a one-year statute of limitations. In other words, complaints or investigations into overspending generally need to be made within 12 months of the alleged offence.
In this case, that deadline may have already passed — but there’s a possible workaround. The police or Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) can apply for an extension to that deadline if they believe there is just cause.
Whether they choose to do so will depend on the strength of Everett’s evidence and the political will to pursue the case.
Why This Matters
At the core of Reform UK’s political message is the promise to restore integrity, transparency, and common sense to British politics. But this allegation — from within their own campaign — could damage that narrative if it gains traction.
It also raises broader questions:
- How are smaller, insurgent parties managing compliance with strict electoral finance laws?
- Are internal disputes within Reform UK a sign of wider instability?
- And most of all — if a party championing accountability is accused of this, what does that mean for the credibility of political reform itself?
This scandal won’t go away quietly. Not with Nigel Farage at the centre. Not with the possibility of a wider police investigation. And not when every political move is under the magnifying glass in the run-up to a general election.
What Happens Next?
The Metropolitan Police are now reviewing the material submitted by Everett. The Electoral Commission may also open its own inquiry — although its powers are limited without a police referral.
If the CPS agrees to pursue the case and extend the deadline, it could lead to interviews, subpoenas, and possibly even prosecutions.
But even if no charges result, the damage may already be done. Reform UK — and Farage in particular — are being forced to defend themselves against serious allegations, from within their own ranks, just when they hoped to control the political narrative.
Stay Informed
This story is still unfolding. And with Farage’s comeback campaign front and centre in UK politics, you can expect more headlines, more leaks, and more questions.
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