Labour has taken action regarding Nigel Farage’s claim of a potential phone hack by Russian entities after Reform failed to demonstrate that they had already done so.
Earlier this week, Mr. Farage was given a 24-hour ultimatum to confirm that he had informed the authorities following his assertion that hackers linked to the Kremlin had breached his device. However, this deadline was not met.
Reform’s leader recently disclosed that information about a £5 million donation from a cryptocurrency billionaire surfaced due to his compromised phone. While Reform stated that it had informed the “relevant authorities,” no further details were provided.
Questions arose when Mr. Farage mentioned that counter-espionage experts, who he consulted after the alleged hack, implicated Russia. Despite inquiries from the Mirror seeking clarification, the party has remained silent on the matter.
Labour’s chair, Anna Turley, expressed concern in a letter to Mr. Farage, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation not only for him personally but also for national security, political integrity, and public trust in the democratic system. Amid Reform’s vague response to the media, Labour has taken the initiative to involve the National Cyber Security Centre and the Metropolitan Police to ensure thorough investigations.
Ms. Turley warned Mr. Farage that if he did not provide evidence of reporting his suspicions of hacking to the authorities, she would do so herself. Consequently, Labour has reported the allegations of potential Russian interference to the Metropolitan Police and the NCSC, highlighting the lack of proactive measures taken by Reform.
Former NCSC chief Ciaran Martin discredited Mr. Farage’s claims, labeling them as unsubstantiated and casting doubt on Russia’s involvement based solely on phone examination.
In a related development, investigations are ongoing into the £5 million gift received by Mr. Farage from Christopher Harborne before the 2024 general election, with the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner probing potential violations of MP regulations.
Mr. Farage maintains that the donation was a personal, unconditional gift, initially intended for his security but later described as a reward for his efforts in the Brexit campaign.
Ms. Turley raised concerns about the undisclosed £5 million gift, urging Mr. Farage to provide transparent details about its usage and any other potential undisclosed contributions from Harborne to him or other Reform members.
Reform UK has been approached for comments, and a spokesperson indicated that the matter had been reported to relevant authorities without specifying to whom. The NCSC mentioned its readiness to assist in cyber incidents but did not confirm whether a report had been filed, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding democracy against online threats.
