Reform UK Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick has accused Westminster of preparing a “stitch-up” against Nigel Farage, after a GB News investigation raised questions over whether the Reform UK leader would receive a fair hearing from the Commons standards process.
Speaking to GB News, Jenrick said Farage was not willing to let the process drag on behind closed doors, which is why he resigned as MP for Clacton this week and forced a by-election. “He wasn’t prepared just to allow this stitch-up, this kangaroo court, to unfold in the months ahead”, Jenrick said. “He wasn’t prepared to waste the rest of this year. He wants to settle this matter once and for all in the hands of the people - not bureaucrats or officials over in the Palace of Westminster.”
GB News reported that the standards investigation into allegations that Farage failed to register gifts and financial support could continue if he is re-elected in Clacton.
The channel also examined the membership of the Commons standards committee that could ultimately play a role in deciding Farage’s fate. According to GB News, several MPs on the committee have previously taken public positions sharply critical of Farage or Reform UK.
Labour MP Michael Wheeler was one of 26 Labour MPs who referred Reform UK to the equalities watchdog over allegations of Islamophobia. Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine has previously criticised Farage over his earnings from GB News. Labour MP Gill Furniss shared a post on X from the Labour Party accusing Farage of being anti-British. Labour MP Gareth Snell has also described Farage’s position on Donald Trump’s war in Iran as dangerous, and strongly criticised Reform UK’s deportation plans as failing every conceivable practical, legal and ethical test.
These are clearly not impartial judges. And, of course, there is no Reform UK representative sitting on this committee.
Jenrick argued that the issue could eventually come before a House of Commons overwhelmingly hostile towards Reform UK. “Ultimately, it would go to a vote in the House of Commons, where we’ve got our doughty band of eight Members of Parliament, but everybody else obviously is against Reform”, he said.
That is precisely why Farage is asking the people of Clacton - not the political class of Westminster - to judge him.
Speaking to GB News, Jenrick said Farage was not willing to let the process drag on behind closed doors, which is why he resigned as MP for Clacton this week and forced a by-election. “He wasn’t prepared just to allow this stitch-up, this kangaroo court, to unfold in the months ahead”, Jenrick said. “He wasn’t prepared to waste the rest of this year. He wants to settle this matter once and for all in the hands of the people - not bureaucrats or officials over in the Palace of Westminster.”
GB News reported that the standards investigation into allegations that Farage failed to register gifts and financial support could continue if he is re-elected in Clacton.
The channel also examined the membership of the Commons standards committee that could ultimately play a role in deciding Farage’s fate. According to GB News, several MPs on the committee have previously taken public positions sharply critical of Farage or Reform UK.
Labour MP Michael Wheeler was one of 26 Labour MPs who referred Reform UK to the equalities watchdog over allegations of Islamophobia. Liberal Democrat MP Anna Sabine has previously criticised Farage over his earnings from GB News. Labour MP Gill Furniss shared a post on X from the Labour Party accusing Farage of being anti-British. Labour MP Gareth Snell has also described Farage’s position on Donald Trump’s war in Iran as dangerous, and strongly criticised Reform UK’s deportation plans as failing every conceivable practical, legal and ethical test.
These are clearly not impartial judges. And, of course, there is no Reform UK representative sitting on this committee.
Jenrick argued that the issue could eventually come before a House of Commons overwhelmingly hostile towards Reform UK. “Ultimately, it would go to a vote in the House of Commons, where we’ve got our doughty band of eight Members of Parliament, but everybody else obviously is against Reform”, he said.
That is precisely why Farage is asking the people of Clacton - not the political class of Westminster - to judge him.
