Nigel Farage says questions over his finances are part of ‘coordinated pile-on’

Nigel Farage speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in London’s docklands. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Nigel Farage speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in London’s docklands. Photograph: Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images Nigel Farage says questions over his finances are part of ‘coordinated pile-on’ Reform leader says he’s been ‘demonised’ since revelation he received £5m from billionaire before election Nigel Farage has accused people raising questions about his financial backing of “demonising” him as part of a “coordinated pile-on” to stop Reform UK. In one of his first speeches since the opening of two parliamentary standards inquiries into his financial support, the Reform UK leader said he had been “dehumanised in the most extraordinary way” in recent months, after the Guardian revealed in April that he had received a £5m gift from the crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne before the last election. Addressing the audience at the rightwing Conservative Political Action Conference GB (Cpac GB) in London’s docklands, Farage criticised Andy Burnham, the Labour party leader, and the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch – labelling them leaders of the “uniparty”. The event had sessions featuring hard-right figures from around the world. Keynote speakers included the US rightwing influencer Jack Posobiec , who previously promoted the fabricated Pizzagate conspiracy theory smearing prominent Democrats as paedophiles. To a rapturous audience, Farage said: “Americans will remember this playbook, won’t they? This happened in America. […] I found myself and my colleagues being judged to be guilty, guilty every single day.” On the day that Burnham officially became the leader of the Labour party, Farage labelled the Makerfield MP a “dud” and said he should call a general election. “The British public have had enough of this game of musical chairs that is taking place in Downing Street,” he said. “There must be an immediate general election so the country can decide.” Liz Truss assembles host of rightwing speakers for UK’s first CPAC event in London Read more View image in fullscreen Liz Truss, who was prime minister for seven weeks in 2022, speaks at the Cpac conference. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA Farage said the election of Colin Sutton , who led several high profile murder investigations during his 30-year-career, as the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Norfolk on Friday, was evidence that Reform was the dominant force in centre-right politics. Sutton won with a majority of 14,299, on a voter turnout of 17%. “We’ve managed to raise more money last year than any other political party, and we are genuinely doing everything we can to get ready to fight that next general election, whenever it begins, and to win it,” he said. Farage was speaking as the nominations closed for candidates to stand in the Clacton byelection triggered by his decision to quit as an MP, over inten