Labour has taken action regarding Nigel Farage’s claim of a Russian phone hack by reporting it to security services and the police after it was found that Reform had not fulfilled the requirement to do so. Mr. Farage had been given a deadline to confirm he had informed the authorities about the alleged Kremlin-backed hacking incident, but he did not meet this deadline.
Recently, the Reform leader revealed that information about a £5 million gift he received from a cryptocurrency billionaire was exposed due to his compromised phone. Although Reform stated that it had informed the “relevant authorities,” further details were not provided. Doubts arose after Mr. Farage mentioned that his phone had been examined by counter-espionage experts who implicated Russia. Despite seeking clarification from the party, The Mirror did not receive a response.
Anna Turley, the Labour chair, wrote a letter to Mr. Farage emphasizing the serious nature of the alleged crime, stressing the importance of handing over any evidence of hostile-state hacking to the proper authorities for thorough investigation. Concerned about the lack of clarity in Reform’s response, Labour contacted the National Cyber Security Centre and the Metropolitan Police to ensure the claims were appropriately investigated for the national interest.
Labour has now escalated the matter by reporting the allegations of Russian involvement in hostile state activity to the Metropolitan Police and the NCSC, citing uncertainty about Reform’s proactive measures. Ciaran Martin, the former chief of the NCSC, dismissed Mr. Farage’s claims as unsubstantiated, noting the challenge of attributing involvement to Russia based solely on phone examination.
Mr. Farage faced criticism following revelations that he received a £5 million gift from Reform mega-donor Christopher Harborne before the 2024 general election, prompting an investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner into potential rule violations. Mr. Farage defended the gift as a personal, unconditional gesture, initially claiming it was for his security but later stating it was a reward for his Brexit advocacy.
Ms. Turley raised concerns about the undisclosed £5 million gift, questioning the contradictory explanations provided by Mr. Farage and urging transparency in disclosing how the money was utilized. She also pressed for information on potential additional undeclared funds from Harborne to Mr. Farage or other Reform politicians, emphasizing the need for honesty with the public.
Reform UK has been approached for comments but has not clarified to whom the incident was reported. The NCSC stated their readiness to assist with any reported cyber incidents, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding democracy and offering support against online attacks.