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Farage wins Clacton
Nigel Farage won the Clacton by-election after triggering the vote by resigning his parliamentary seat, and he did not attend the count in the southern English seaside resort of Clacton because he said the police had advised him there was a campaign to disrupt the result.
“did not turn up at the vote count in the southern English seaside resort of Clacton because he said the police had advised him”
Farage secured 22,239 votes, while his main rival Count Binface, a comedian dressed as a trash can, won 9,455 votes, as the BBC reported Farage won 63.3% of the vote.
In a speech delivered before the count concluded, Farage told supporters, "The verdict has now come in … you haven't heard it yet," and he added, "It is a convincing, overwhelming win," as chants of "Nigel! Nigel! Nigel!" broke out.
The BBC said Liberal Democrat Cabinet Office spokeswoman Lisa Smart called for investigations into Farage's financial affairs to "crack on" after his return to Parliament was confirmed by his by-election victory.
Reuters said Farage's strategy to silence critics backfired when Count Binface took more than a quarter of the vote, with Farage taking 62.8% and Binface 26.7%.
Security dispute and quotes
Farage refused to attend the result declaration and said he would not stand on a stage, telling supporters, "I am damned if I am going to stand on a stage, having won a resounding victory ... and be demeaned and humiliated by nobodies."
Essex Police and election officials rejected the claim that they advised candidates to stay away, with the BBC quoting a police spokesperson saying, "We have a proportionate and robust policing operation to ensure the safety and security of all participants in the count."
The BBC reported that acting returning officer Ian Davidson said there was "no issue in terms of us completing the count tonight" after working with Essex Police.
In coverage of the same dispute, the Independent said Essex Police had "robust" policing in place at the count and did not tell any candidate not to attend.
Al Jazeera’s Jonah Hull spoke to Count Binface as votes were counted in Clacton, with Farage claiming an "overwhelming" victory while he refused to attend the result declaration.
Investigation resumes in September
The by-election result did not end the scrutiny that led Farage to resign, because the BBC said an independent investigation would resume into whether he broke the rules by not declaring a £5m gift before he was elected.
“With a parliamentary investigation into his finances set to resume, the vote may have done little to remove a threat he wanted to sideline”
Reuters said the parliamentary watchdog is expected to continue its investigation into whether Farage should have declared a £5 million ($6.75 million) gift from a cryptocurrency billionaire investor, and it said Farage admitted receiving the money but not declaring it.
The Guardian reported that the formal investigation by the parliamentary standards watchdog into the £5m gift is due to restart as soon as Friday, even though Farage won and did not appear at the count for a victory lap.
Euronews said the investigation paused when Farage resigned and relates to a £5 million ($6.7m) donation from cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne, while London police confirmed starting an investigation last year into donations to Reform before the 2024 election.
The Guardian added that if the parliamentary standards commissioner determines Farage violated the ethics code, the process could lead to suspension from parliament and another vote to retain his seat, with the main parties most probably fielding candidates.
