Nigel Farage has given a rather unusual explanation for his presence at a meeting where political funding was reportedly discussed: he says he wasn’t actually listening.
The meeting formed part of an undercover investigation in which reporters posed as the representatives of a wealthy American interested in supporting Reform UK. Footage allegedly showed two senior party officials discussing how foreign-funded polling could benefit the party without breaking UK donation rules.
Farage denies any wrongdoing and says no illegal donation was ever accepted. Reform UK also claims it was targeted by a politically motivated hoax. However, the two officials involved, Dan Jukes and James Orr, have stepped down while an internal investigation takes place.
Police are reportedly assessing the allegations, although that does not mean an offence has been established.
Being physically present but apparently mentally elsewhere might be a familiar experience—but it’s a bold defence when the conversation is about political money.
What do you reckon: believable explanation or the political equivalent of “I didn’t read the terms and conditions”?