Nigel Farage’s £270,000 Direct Bullion Deal Triggers Standards Probe

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage received £270,000 from gold marketer Direct Bullion, recorded as payment for an estimated 12 hours of work over three months – an hourly rate of £22,500. The fee is his largest declared sum as MP for Clacton.

The Guardian

Farage previously earned £91,200 (Feb 2025) and £135,000 (Nov 2025) from Direct Bullion, describing the role as a £400,000-a-year second job promoting gold. He also received £18,402 for six hours on GB News and >£80,000 from Cameo, bringing total outside earnings above £1 million.

The Guardian

• Direct Bullion total 2025-26 £226,200

The London Economic

• Latest fee £270,000 for 12 hours (£22,500/hr)

The Guardian

• GB News fee £18,402

The Guardian

• Harborne gift £5 million

The Independent

A Farage spokesperson said, “As has previously been reported and declared, Nigel Farage is a brand ambassador for Direct Bullion.” The Parliamentary Standards Commissioner has opened a probe into whether the Direct Bullion fee and the £5 million Harborne gift should have been declared before election. A breach could lead to a suspension of ten days or more and a recall petition.

The IndependentBBC NewsThe GuardianThe London Economic

Anna Turley said, “He pretends to be on the side of ordinary working people but in truth he’s just in it for himself and will sell his time to the highest bidder.” Richard Burgon warned that “when MPs are chasing lucrative second jobs… it undermines public confidence in politics.” Farage has defended the £5 million gift as a private matter, insisting it was received before he stood for election and was not a political donation.

The London Economic

Farage called the Direct Bullion fee an “unconditional gift” and argued it fell outside the rule requiring MPs to declare interests within twelve months of election. Yet the payment appears in the official register, creating a discrepancy with his view. The probe also asks whether the £5 million Harborne gift, described as private, should have been logged as a political donation. No final ruling has been issued.

The Independent

• “Anna Turley, the Labour party chair, said: “He pretends to be on the side of ordinary working people but in truth he’s just in it for himself and will sell his time to the highest bidder.” — Anna Turley, Labour Party Chair

The Guardian

• “It’s none of your business.” — Nigel Farage, BBC Breakfast interview

The Independent

• “I’m absolutely convinced I’ve done nothing wrong in any way at all,” — Nigel Farage, BBC Breakfast interview

The Independent

The Commons will debate a motion, led by Richard Burgon, to ban MPs from lucrative second jobs. Farage has been invited to explain his stance. If the standards inquiry finds a breach, he could face suspension and a recall petition, potentially triggering a by-election in Clacton.

The Independent