Nigel Farage has provided a new reason for not purchasing a residence in Clacton, citing concerns about security. The leader of the Reform party has faced scrutiny following claims that he had acquired a property in his electoral region, later revealed to be owned by his partner, Laure Ferrari. Had he bought the four-bedroom house for £885,000 himself, an additional £44,000 would have been required, but Farage maintains his actions were above board.
In a recent statement, Farage explained that he chose not to have his name listed on the property deeds due to security considerations. While he previously mentioned that Ms. Ferrari had funded the purchase due to her background in a successful French family, he did not reiterate this point during the latest remarks.
Addressing reporters, Farage stated, “My partner, a private individual, made the purchase in the constituency, which I supported. I opted against having my name associated with the property for security reasons, prompting me to seek advice from an independent tax expert.” He emphasized that all legal procedures were followed, including proper checks and stamp duty payments.
Regarding the funding source, Farage maintained his previous stance and declined to provide further details. Last week, he informed The Mirror that his partner utilized family funds for the property acquisition, a claim disputed by a BBC investigation questioning their financial capacity.
When pressed about clarifying his previous statements, Farage reiterated the legality of his actions and cautioned against making false accusations regarding stamp duty compliance. He dismissed notions of financial impropriety and underscored that both he and his partner had adhered to regulations regarding the Clacton property.
In response to the ongoing inquiries, a spokesperson for the Labour party criticized Farage for the evolving explanations surrounding his housing situation, urging transparency to address public uncertainty. The revelation that Ferrari had purchased the property contradicted Farage’s prior assertion of being the buyer, with the absence of a mortgage indicating a cash transaction.
Farage acknowledged his error in claiming ownership of the house and clarified the absence of a mortgage registration, implying a cash payment by his partner. The situation continues to draw attention as questions persist about the funding source and ownership details.