Nigel Farage claims media treats him like war criminal after by-election backlash

Reform UK leader faces backlash after triggering Clacton by-election and comparing scrutiny to war crimes prosecution

London — Nigel Farage has sparked widespread criticism after claiming he is being "treated like a war criminal" by his critics, as he faces multiple investigations into his financial dealings.

The Reform UK leader made the remark during an interview on his party's in-house podcast, following his decision last week to resign as MP for Clacton and trigger a by-election in the constituency.

Investigations and Allegations

Farage is currently under a parliamentary standards investigation concerning a £5 million gift from a Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire that he allegedly failed to declare. He could also face separate probes over:

• Support he received from convicted fraudster George Cottrell
• Lobbying activities related to cryptocurrency

Farage claimed he was the victim of a "witch hunt" and defended his decision to call the by-election as "the right thing to do."

"I think effectively I'm being treated like a war criminal," he said on the podcast. "It's quite astonishing, and it's like our mainstream media think we have to defer to them at all times, and I just don't buy that."

He added: "You look at today's press and they say he doesn't want scrutiny. I don't mind scrutiny, but I do mind illegally obtained information, I do mind computer hacking. I genuinely mind those things, and the intimidation of my family. I just thought it had all reached such a frenzy that I had to do something."

By-Election Backlash

The by-election strategy has backfired, however, after Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, and Restore Britain all announced they would not field candidates in the contest. Instead, Farage faces a head-to-head battle with novelty candidate Count Binface.

The Reform leader said: "I've done something positive. They wanted a by-election here. Well now they've got one and they don't want to stand."

Labour Response

A Labour Party spokesperson condemned Farage's remarks, stating: "Farage needs to wake up and realise that the public expect all politicians to be held to account for their actions."

"Farage is not a war criminal, but he is trying to dodge scrutiny over a secret £5 million 'gift' from a crypto billionaire and undeclared donations from a convicted fraudster, and it's perfectly reasonable for people to ask him questions about it."

"Farage can keep trying to distract, but the public can increasingly see that he's just in it for himself and he thinks the rules don't apply to him."

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