Nigel Farage Scrutinized Over Undeclared Donor Helicopter Use

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage used a Eurocopter owned by Lorenzo Zaccheo’s Alcaline Aviation in 2025, flying from Birmingham to Kent on 28-29 March and on 2 May after Reform won county councils. The trips were not entered in the parliamentary register.

The Guardian

Alcaline Aviation got a £25,000 Reform donation in 2025. Farage faces an inquiry into an alleged £5 million gift from billionaire Christopher Harborne, which he says covered security. The watchdog has logged 17 rule-breaking counts. Key actors are Farage, donors Lorenzo Zaccheo and Christopher Harborne, Labour chair Anna Turley and Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper.

The Guardian

28-29 Mar 2025: Eurocopter flies to Birmingham for Reform’s launch, then to Kent; 2 May 2025: Farage exits helicopter in Maidstone after county-council victories; May 2026: Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders question the undeclared flights.

The Guardian

Reform UK says the trips were paid, so no gift or benefit-in-kind arose, and a separate donation does not turn paid services into a benefit. Alcaline Aviation’s owner, Lorenzo Zaccheo, says the aircraft is provided only after a signed contract and payment.

The Guardian

Labour chair Anna Turley said Farage “massively underdeclared” flight costs and demanded proof of commercial pricing. Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper called the finances “shrouded in secrecy” given helicopter trips and £5 million probe.

The Guardian

Reform UK claims commercial payment, but opponents note missing receipts and the donor’s recent £25,000 political contribution. No party official has answered follow-up questions on payment source, leaving the trail unclear.

The Guardian

• “It looks like he massively underdeclared the commercial cost of private jet trips to the Maldives donated by his billionaire backer, Christopher Harborne.” — Anna Turley, chair, Labour Party

The Guardian

• “ The Liberal Democrats’ deputy leader, Daisy Cooper, said: “Between these flights and the serious questions regarding his £5m gift from a crypto billionaire, Farage’s finances appear to be shrouded in secrecy.” — Daisy Cooper, deputy leader, Liberal Democrats

The Guardian

• “The flights to which you refer were paid for at commercial rates. There was therefore no gift, donation, benefit, or benefit in kind provided to Mr Farage by Mr Zaccheo or Alcaline Aviation, and no undeclared registrable interest arising from those flights,” — Reform UK spokesperson

The Guardian

• “We only know the number of passengers and their weights until the contract is signed and payment is received.” — Lorenzo Zaccheo, owner, Alcaline Aviation

The Guardian

The case highlights concerns over political transparency, compliance with financial-interest registration rules, and donor influence on party logistics. Undisclosed benefits risk eroding public confidence and prompting regulatory action.

The Guardian

Parliament’s standards committee has 28 days to decide if the flights should have been logged in the register. The watchdog’s probe of the £5 million gift may extend to the helicopter trips, possibly resulting in sanctions.

The Guardian