Nigel Farage watchdog probe 'centres on mysterious fishing boat'

Nigel Farage is being investigated by Parliament's standards watchdog amid questions over whether he owns an undeclared fishing boat, The Mirror understands.

The Reform UK leader bragged in April that he was the only MP "that has a financial stake in the commercial fishing industry" - revealing he owns a commercial boat with a skipper. But there is no mention of this in his register of interests.

In an interview with GB News, Mr Farage said he was “heavily invested” in fishing. He told the network - which employs him to host a weekday show: “I’m the only member of Parliament that has a financial stake in the commercial fishing industry… I own a commercial fishing boat… I have a skipper who runs that boat.” It comes days after Mr Farage unveiled an ex-Tory who made racist remark on WhatsApp as its newest defector.

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He went on to say that he makes no money on the vessel, stating in The Telegraph: “I don’t run it myself. I’m rather too busy. I have a skipper that runs that boat, and I’m not making any money on it. I can promise you, the rules and regulations put upon our small commercial fleet since Brexit are worse than they were as members of the European Union.”

Daniel Greenberg, the parliamentary standards commissioner, launched an inquiry into the Reform leader over an apparent "registration of interest” matter.

It concerns a potential breach of Rule 5 of the MPs' code of conduct - which requires MPs to declare changes to their interests within 28 days.

Since being elected Mr Farage has declared a massive £933,173.76 in outside income on top of his MP salary - currently £93,904. He also receives around £4,000 a month writing articles for the Telegraph media group.

Reform UK said the investigation, announced on the commissioner's website on Wednesday morning, was opened following an allegation by a member of the House of Lords.

In June campaign group Hope Not Hate - which first reported the possible breach - demanded to know: "Where's the boat, Nigel?" It called on Mr Farage to clarify how long he had been sailing the high seas.

The controversial party leader told The Independent the probe was in relation to a complaint by a peer, who he did not name.

He told the newspaper: "It is not to do with any undeclared income". A spokesman for the Reform boss said: “Following a complaint from a member of the House of Lords, the Commissioner for Standards is doing his job.”

Rule 5 of the MPs’ code states: “Members must fulfil conscientiously the requirements of the House in respect of the registration of interests in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests.

“New Members must register all their current financial interests, and any registrable benefits (other than earnings) received in the 12 months before their election within one month of their election, and Members must register any change in those registrable interests within 28 days.”

The Mirror has contacted Mr Farage and Reform UK for comment.

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