Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing populist Reform UK party, has resigned as a member of parliament, forcing a by-election in his Clacton constituency. Farage, who has represented the southeast England seat for two years, announced his decision in a televised speech, framing the upcoming vote as a battle between the people and the establishment.

The Brexit figurehead accused the press of excessive intrusion and claimed the establishment was trying to obstruct his party's progress. 'I've decided that the people of Clacton should be the judges of my actions,' Farage stated. 'This will be a people versus the establishment by-election.'

The resignation comes amid growing scrutiny over undeclared financial support. Reports revealed that Farage's longtime ally and convicted fraudster George Cottrell allegedly hired and paid three people to run Farage's social media before the general election and allowed him to use a five-story Georgian property near Buckingham Palace.

Farage declared a trip to Belgium and a US domestic flight paid for by Cottrell but failed to declare the remaining support. The ruling Labour Party has called for an investigation into the allegations. Separately, an inquiry has been launched into an undeclared £5 million ($6.7 million) personal gift from Thailand-based cryptocurrency billionaire Christopher Harborne.

Farage has confirmed he will stand again in the by-election. His party currently leads national opinion polls, reflecting its growing popularity despite the controversy.

Source: www.dw.com