Nigel Farage is facing renewed pressure to clarify the circumstances surrounding the purchase of his £885,000 Clacton house by his girlfriend, Laure Ferrari. Recent revelations indicate that Ferrari initially stayed with Farage in 2017, before their relationship, citing the need for a cost-free accommodation option. In a past interview with Euractiv, Ferrari mentioned working as a waitress in Strasbourg to make ends meet.
Ferrari and Farage crossed paths while she was working in a restaurant, leading to her subsequently securing a position in his European Parliament office. Contrary to Farage’s previous assertion of buying the Clacton property, it has now been disclosed that Ferrari is the registered purchaser, thus availing of standard stamp duty rates due to it being her primary residence. Had Farage made the purchase, an additional 5% stamp duty charge of approximately £44,000 would have been applicable.
Following public scrutiny, Farage acknowledged misspeaking about the property acquisition and denied providing financial assistance to Ferrari, emphasizing her self-sufficiency from her affluent family. Nevertheless, a BBC investigation found no evidence of Ferrari’s family having the financial capacity to purchase the house outright without a mortgage, raising further questions.
In response to the growing inquiries, Farage enlisted tax advice from KC to validate the legality of his actions, particularly after his vocal criticism of Angela Rayner’s stamp duty issues. His legal representatives at Grosvenor Law affirm that they received counsel from a prominent tax lawyer, asserting no wrongdoing in the property purchase process.
Political adversaries, including the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats, have seized upon the controversy, accusing Farage of inconsistency and deception in his statements. Both parties demand transparency from Farage, indicating a lack of trust in his explanations. Farage’s spokesperson maintains that Ferrari is the sole owner of the property, emphasizing the legitimacy of the purchase and confirming Farage’s non-involvement financially.
In a separate development, Farage faced criticism for failing to disclose a trip to the US for a fundraiser for President Trump. Allegations suggest that Farage did not report any earnings from the event, as required by parliamentary regulations. Members of Parliament are obligated to register overseas trips costing over £300 within 28 days, especially if not funded publicly or personally.
Farage’s camp responded, acknowledging the oversight and committing to updating the records promptly. An unnamed source suggested that Farage may have unintentionally neglected to file the necessary documentation regarding the trip.
The ongoing scrutiny surrounding Farage’s property dealings and foreign trips underscores the scrutiny and accountability expected of public figures in the political arena.