Nigel Farage has been reported to the standards watchdog amid allegations of lobbying the Bank of England regarding cryptocurrency policies beneficial to his party's billionaire donor, Christopher Harborne. The complaint was lodged by Labour MP Phil Brickell following a private meeting between Farage and the Bank's governor, Andrew Bailey, in September 2025.
Allegations of Lobbying the Bank of England
On September 2025, Farage met with Bailey to discuss the Bank's plans for a central bank digital currency. Farage has publicly expressed his opposition to the proposed digital pound, stating he would be "prepared to go to prison" to prevent its implementation. Brickell's report to the standards commissioner raises concerns about whether Farage's actions constitute a breach of parliamentary rules.
Farage has claimed that Harborne, who donated £15 million to his party and an additional £5 million to him personally, wanted nothing in return for his contributions. However, Brickell argues that Farage's lobbying could directly benefit Harborne's financial interests in cryptocurrency.
Financial Contributions and Their Implications
Harborne, a major investor in Tether, reportedly stands to gain from the weakening of restrictions on stablecoins, which could conflict with the Bank's digital currency plans. Brickell emphasized that the public deserves clarity on the interactions between Farage and the Bank of England, questioning whether these events are mere coincidence or suggestive of undue political influence.
